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PETER BURLING, PIRATE 


By ARTHUR P. BAGBY 



I 

Peter Burling, Pirate 

BY 

ARTHUR P. BAGBY / 



DORRANCE Philadelphia 




Publishers 



COPYRIGHT 1924 
DORRANCE & COMPANY INC 


/ 





MANUFACTURED IN TUB UNITED STATES OP AMERICA 

FES 2 7 '24 ^ 0 

©Cl A778182 i- \ 

•V.® -y* 



CONTENTS 


CHAPTER PAGE 

I The Valley of Silence. 11 

II Alice Hull and Dan Baldrige. 14 

III A Triangle of Piracy. 19 

IV The Pirate Ship—“Juana” . 22 

V Lefevre Walks the Plank. 31 

VI The “Argyle” Captures the 

“Essex” . 41 

VII Billingsly Orders Pirate Pedersen 

Punished . 50 

VIII Captain Peter Burling, Pirate .... 58 

IX Pedersen Rescued. 69 

X Baldrige Reports to Billingsly .... 75 

XI Pedersen Tells of Billingsly’s 

Cruelty . 83 

XII Pedersen Falls in Love With Cecille 

Hull . 89 

XIII Terese Walks in Her Sleep. 95 

XIV The Passing of Jere Grimm.105 

XV The Pirate Ship Chased by a British 

Man-o-War . 110 

XVI The Pirate Ship Caught in a Trap.. 117 
XVII Burling Arranges for a Temporary 

Respite . 124 

XVIII Gambling for High Stakes. 132 

XIX Burling Escapes from Prison. 142 

XX The “Juana’s” Last Cruise. 149 

XXI The Settlement in the Wilderness.. 152 
XXII Pedersen Settles His Score With 

Billingsly . 167 

XXIII “A Small Boat to Windward” .... 177 




















CONTENTS 


CHAPTER 


XXIV Burling Makes a Trip to Kennebec. 180 

XXV The Battle in the Wilderness.188 

XXVI Calvary Defends Itself Against 

Jourdain’s Troops . 197 

XXVII Conclusion. 208 





PETER BURLING, PIRATE 










Peter Burling, Pirate 

I 

The Valley of Silence 

Tucked away in the vastness of the Blue Ridge 
Mountains, there may be found a scope of terri¬ 
tory that would approximate some ten thousand 
acres of virgin forest. 

Isolated, hemmed in on three sides by high pre¬ 
cipitous cliffs of stone which serve as a natural 
barrier in protecting it from the ravages of forest 
fires, and bounded on its northern rim by a small 
clear-blue lake of water that flattens out east and 
west in such a way as to form a direct contact 
with the rocky walls at either of its ends. The lake 
is kept at a level tide by several gushing springs 
near by, and the overflow drops swiftly over a high 
wall of ragged stones, thereby forming a cataract, 
at the bottom of which, is a swirling pool, thence 
the water wends its way swiftly northward to 
mingle with its kind in the tributaries of the 
Gauley river. 

Stretching southward from the lake lies the 
Valley of Silence, where stand majestic oaks, that 
have stood for centuries in the floor of the valley, 
where the echo of the woodman’s axe has never 
broken the traditional silence. 

On either side of the valley a heavy luxuriant 
growth of laurel hangs from the rocks, serving as 


12 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

a screen for numerous caverns of stone that have 
been hewn by nature’s own hands. 

On the higher ridges that skirt the valley, giant 
pines stand like sentinels, guarding the silent 
forest that stands below. Beneath the huge oaks 
that line the valley, a cushion of fallen leaves, the 
accumulation of countless seasons, form a carpet 
so soft and flexible that the tread of any creature 
of the forest is rendered noiseless. 

Protected by natural barriers on its four sides, 
unmolested by fire, wind or commercial exploita¬ 
tion, the Valley of Silence stands today as it has 
stood for centuries, a well preserved replica of 
a crude but beautiful ruggedness that existed 
prior to the advance of the white settlers. By its 
exceptional seclusion from ever advancing com¬ 
mercial activities, the natural protection which it 
affords, coupled with the great silence and soli¬ 
tude that prevails therein, the valley serves as 
a sanctuary for the wild creatures of the forest. 

To this secluded spot the young wolf slut cun¬ 
ningly slips away from the pack, and seeks the 
shelter of some protecting cavern to bear her 
young. For the same purpose the fawning deer 
seeks the covering of a laurel thicket, and the 
wounded buck drags his weary body into the tall, 
cool marsh grass that lines the inner margin of 
the lake, to recuperate, safe from the hounds and 
the hunter’s rifle, for there exists a sort of un¬ 
written law, whereby if any hunted creature 
gained the confines of the valley, the chase shall 
cease. Thereby the Valley of Silence became a 
neutral territory, a sort of sacred sanctuary, that 
silently beckoned to the pursued, and where pur¬ 
suers withdrew to other quarters. 

All of the wild life of the mountain territory 


THE VALLEY OF SILENCE 


13 


adjacent to the valley, had, in their own intuitive 
way, become familiar with the advantages to be 
gained by taking refuge in the place, when for 
any reason they became hard pressed. Likewise, 
it became in time the rendezvous of erring men, 
who sought its seclusion in evading the law. 


II 

Alice Hull and Dan Baldrige 

At a time computed to be about the same as that 
of the early settlement of the American continent, 
Alice Hull celebrated her eighteenth birthday by 
giving a party to her friends, the occasion being 
also a sort of reunion of her student companions 
of Bradbury Seminary, Bradbury, England, from 
which institution she had recently been graduated 
with high honors and with the proper qualifica¬ 
tions of becoming a teacher herself. 

Under the tutelage of John Strang, an eminent 
man of letters, and prominent English divine, she 
had mastered all of her studies at an exception¬ 
ally youthful period of her life. This fact, 
coupled with that of her uncommon beauty and 
admirable traits of character, had won for Alice 
Hull the high respect and admiration of the whole 
of Bradbury, old and young alike. 

Orphaned in early childhood, she had, by the 
will of her father, Barclay Hull, been given over 
to the care of her maiden aunt, Cecille Hull, with 
a liberal competence for her maintenance and edu¬ 
cation. Cecille Hull certainly fulfilled her obli¬ 
gation to her deceased brother, Barclay Hull, 
by the very efficient manner in which she had 
moulded the pattern that played so great a part 
in the development of such a noble character as 
that exemplified in the person of her niece, Alice. 
Certainly the Right Reverend John Strang, 
Master of Letters and Student of Divinity, shared 


14 


ALICE HULL AND DAN BALDRIGE 15 

in the credit of developing Alice Hull’s talents 
also. 

But to those that knew her well, it would seem 
incredible that Alice Hull could be other than the 
beautiful sweet-tempered girl that she was, no 
matter under what circumstances she had been 
brought up. Be that as it may, Alice’s large 
circle of friends were gathered at her graduation 
and birthday party, and she received the compli¬ 
ments of her admirers of both sexes, with that 
exquisite grace and manner for which she was 
so capable. 

After an evening of merry-making by the 
younger folk, and a few draughts of ale with some 
speechmaking and toasting by the elderly male 
guests, the happy assemblage began to disperse 
itself in twos, fours, and sixs, all singing their 
praises to Alice Hull. 

Alice stood in the great hallway near the door, 
bidding her guests good night until their depar¬ 
ture was complete with one exception. Dan Bal- 
drige, youthful naval Ensign, had purposely re¬ 
mained behind to be the last guest to hold Alice 
Hull’s hand in a fond good night. Discerning his 
motive, a spark of merriment illuminated the 
expression of Alice’s eyes. 

“Oh, Danny Baldrige, why should you, a fight¬ 
ing man, be found at the rear of a marching col¬ 
umn?” she bantered. 

“As a matter of strategy, my dear Alice, re¬ 
treating columns should be fully protected in 
their rear,” chuckled Dan Baldrige. 

“Ah, I see, my gallant Danny, that you’ve re¬ 
sorted to a nice piece of strategy in arranging 
to be the last of my departing guests. Am I right 
in presuming that you’ve calculated this master 


16 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

stroke of strategy to place you in a position of 
promoting your advances for my favor ?” asked 
Alice in mock sternness. 

“You’re a great little general, Alice, and 
should be in the King’s service, for you’ve proved 
your ability by precisely calculating the enemy’s 
designs. Having broken through the main de¬ 
fenses, it may be fitting for the defeated com¬ 
mander to pass over his sword. ’ ’ So saying, Dan 
Baldrige unsheathed the Ensign’s cutlass that 
hung at his side, and with a deep bow, passed it 
into Alice Hull’s hands. 

Taking the cutlass, Alice quickly stiffened her¬ 
self into the attitude of a military figure at atten¬ 
tion. 

“Mister Commander Baldrige, you are my 
prisoner! Right about face. Forward, march!” 
Thus giving her commands, she marched Dan 
Baldrige back through the long hallway to the 
guest room, where Aunt Cecille Hull, the lone 
occupant of the room, sat up with a somewhat 
startled look. 

“Alice, what means all this?” asked Cecille 
Hull. 

“Auntie dear, I’ve just captured the famous 
pirate commander Baldrige, whom I found loiter¬ 
ing in the hallway soon after the departure of 
our guests. Shall I behead him here on this 
spot, or turn him over to the civil guard, to be 
shot at sunrise?” 

“Nonsense, Alice, you shouldn’t indulge in 
such mockery, especially at this time, when some¬ 
one whom we think dearly of may at this very 
moment be in danger of the very evil of which 
you have just spoken so lightly. Only yesterday, 
I received a twelve-page letter from Major Bil- 


ALICE HULL AND DAN BALDRIGE 17 


lingsly, which states in part that marauding pi¬ 
rates have again been looting the coast settle¬ 
ments of the American Colonies.” 

“And where was our gallant Major Billingsly 
when the looting was in progress ?” interrupted 
Alice, smiling mirthfully. 

“Why, Alice, of course/’ continued Cecille 
Hull, “as the Major states, he was at the time 
engaged in the grave task of pushing the savages 
back away from the settlements, toward their 
wigwams in the forest. I am aggrieved at your 
impertinence in questioning Major Billingsly’s 
motives, when, as we all know a braver soldier 
never graced his Majesty’s service. Give Danny 
Baldrige back his cutlass. And now, my young 
Danny,” addressing the youthful Ensign, “I’ve 
often heard Major Billingsly say that, ‘The true 
hunter never quits his fowling piece, nor the 
brave soldier lay down his arms.’ So sheathe 
your cutlass until such time as it may be drawn 
in defense of his Majesty’s realm, and in clearing 
the seas of murderous pirates, ’ ’ concluded Cecille 
Hull in a tone of sternness. 

“Forgive me, Auntie, forgive Danny, forgive 
us both, ’ ’ entreated Alice, placing her arms about 
her aunt’s neck and a gentle kiss upon her cheek. 

“Bless you, my dear Alice, bless you, my dear 
Danny; I feel so fatigued, and must retire, good¬ 
night.” So saying, Cecille Hull withdrew to the 
privacy of her own room. 

Both Alice Hull and Dan Baldrige were aware 
of Cecille Hull’s attachment for Major Billingsly. 
The whole of Bradbury knew of it, and dame ru¬ 
mor had prophesied Cecille Hull’s intentions of 
taking up her abode in the American settlements, 


18 


PETER BURLING, PIRATE 


where the Major was stationed, just so soon as 
her niece, Alice, should complete her studies. 

Ensign Dan Baldrige was home on a two-week 
furlough, and a goodly part of that time was 
spent in courting pretty Alice Hull. The limit 
of his leave was timed to expire with the termina¬ 
tion of Alice’s birthday and graduation party, 
and for this reason the handsome Danny had pur¬ 
posely remained her last departing guest. 

The remaining few short hours of his stay was 
spent in Alice’s company. As the time drew near 
for his final departure, the two young lovers re¬ 
newed their pledges of fidelity to each other, and 
when the midnight coach rumbled over Brad¬ 
bury’s cobbled streets, it carried Dan Baldrige 
as one of its passengers, on a coastward journey 
to join his ship. 


in 

A Triangle of Piracy 

At a time in history that somewhat precedes 
the incidents and events of this story, a reign of 
unthrottled piracy was sweeping the open seas. 
England, France and Spain were at each others 
throats in a three-cornered contest in pressing 
their claim for mastery in their conquest for that 
rich prize,—the American continent. 

The struggle for supremacy grew in its in¬ 
tensity and fierceness, until as it might seem that 
the contestants had begun to resort to the most 
savage barbarity known in the history of the 
world. Common warfare, as the term goes, was 
completely cast aside, and an era of revolting 
piracy and terror erected in its stead. Especially 
was this true in regard to that part of the combat 
as staged upon the sea. 

Beginning at the coast of New Foundland, and 
circling around the Atlantic coast to the Gulf of 
Mexico and the West Indies, lies a stretch of 
water which, if looked upon from the point of 
sunken hulks and bleached bones, could quite 
properly be called “The Pirates Graveyard/’ 

English merchant ships were preyed upon by 
the French and Spanish alike. French trading 
schooners fell prey to the Spanish and English. 
Spanish migrational vessels bound for Mexican 
Gulf ports, became victims of the French and 
English. Thus was evolved a triangle of piracy 
19 


20 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

that shall stand for all time as a mark of shame 
to the three countries principally involved. 

Reprisals exacted for the misdeeds, of one 
country served only as an invitation and incentive 
for counter reprisal on the part of either of the 
other two belligerents. 

Ship commanders forgot allegiance to their 
home governments, choosing rather to take the 
chance of privately sharing in the rich loot to be 
gained by open piracy. Furious racial hatred 
fanned the flame of evil minds into the cunning 
invention of machines of torture. Barbarism, 
slow torture, rapine, murder, pillage and death 
stalked hand in hand from the mouth of the St. 
Lawrence river to the Florida straits. 

Piracy grew to such enormous proportions that 
England, growing alarmed at the state of affairs 
that existed at the very doors of her American 
Colonies, organized strong fleets of well-armed 
vessels and set out to put down the menace of 
piracy and mutiny. Her efforts were successful 
in a great measure, although it took several years 
to reduce to a minimum the hazard of piracy 
against her merchant vessels. At no time, how¬ 
ever, during the period in which the incidents 
and events of this narrative are recorded, was 
the menace quite entirely wiped out. 

The repressive measures that were brought to 
bear against sea outlawry, had the effect of caus¬ 
ing some of the more bolder spirits to organize 
themselves into a few stronger units, and to con¬ 
tinue their depredations at far scattered points. 

While voyaging could be considered as com¬ 
paratively safe again, there still remained the 
possibility of an occasional attack. Any fresh 
activity on the part of the marauders of the sea 


A TRIANGLE OF PIRACY 


21 


was met by the renewed energy and vigilance of 
England’s ever-growing naval forces. 

Pirate hunting developed into such a high state 
of efficiency that, through the functioning of a 
crude but effective intelligence system, the names 
of the chief offenders became known, and large 
rewards were offered for their capture. 

Chief among those, against whom was charged 
the greatest offense, was one Peter Burling. 
Every misdemeanor known in the category of 
crime was charged to his account. Among the 
many other things stated in regard to Peter 
Burling’s exploits, was one which related to the 
maintenance of a harem aboard his ship. 

At any rate Peter Burling’s notorious reputa¬ 
tion had the effect of stirring the indignation of 
the English Crown to the point of posting a re¬ 
ward of five thousand pounds for his head. Thus 
was instituted an era of pirate hunting which 
might quite properly be termed as instrumental 
in making England “Master of the Seas.” 


IV 


The Pirate Ship—“ Juana’’ 

The one item among the news of Bradbury’s 
public prints that undoubtedly created the most 
interest, was the announcement of their departure 
within the month for the American Colonies, of 
Cecille Hull and her niece, Alice, accompanied by 
the Right Reverend John Strang. 

Reverend Strang’s decision in the matter of 
his departure for America, was influenced by his 
understanding of the urgent need of missionaries 
in the Colonies; while Alice Hull had reasoned 
quite correctly that she could also render a service 
to the Crown by becoming a teacher in the Colo¬ 
nies. And Cecille Hull’s opinion in the matter was 
logically summed up in assuming that she would 
be of great service to both her niece, Alice, and 
the Rt. Rev. Strang. 

In discussing the matter of their intended 
journey, Alice Hull took occasion to indulge in a 
piquant jest with her aunt, by saying: 

“ Auntie dear, may we not be correct in assum¬ 
ing that Major Billingsly has pushed the savages 
back, deep into the forests and away from the 
Settlements?” 

“No doubt, no doubt, my dear Alice, but what 
assurance can you give me that your youthful 
Danny Baldrige has swept the sea clean of pi¬ 
rates?” rejoined her aunt in a tone that carried 
a note of sternness. 

“Oh, my poor dear Danny,” returned Alice— 


THE PIRATE SHIP—“JUANA” 


23 


“who knows, but what he may have Peter Bur- 
ling’s head dangling from the mast of his ship at 
this very moment? It would be just like Danny. 
It would be just like Major Billingsly, too, march¬ 
ing back to quarters with his belt full of savage 
scalps.” 

“Alice, hush,” rejoined Cecille Hull. “A 
harsh insinuation indeed, to speak of Danny Bal- 
drige as a head hunter, with the further inference 
that Major Billingsly would stoop to such a hor¬ 
rid thing as mutilating a fallen enemy. Please 
refrain from saying anything further on this un¬ 
pleasant subject, but instead, let us busy our¬ 
selves in assisting our good friend and adviser, 
Mr. Strang, in his plans and preparations for our 
coming journey. ’ ’ 

If the people of Bradbury had been asked to 
whom might belong the honor of being the most 
popular young woman in their midst, their an¬ 
swer would have been—“Alice Hull.” If they 
had been asked to name the most cultured and re¬ 
fined lady, their answer would have been—“Ce¬ 
cille Hull.” If they had been asked to name the 
most highly esteemed townsman, their answer as 
one voice, would have been “John Strang.” 

The talent and learning they possessed would 
be of priceless value to the American Settlements, 
and the town of Bradbury regretted their de¬ 
parture. 

Preceding their final departure, a farewell de¬ 
monstration was held in their honor; and as 
Bradbury waved good-bye to the outgoing stage, 
its emotions gave way to smiles, tears and pray¬ 
ers. And as the occupants of the stage waved 
back, their emotions also gave way to prayers, 
tears and smiles. 


24 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

The staunch little vessel i 1 Essex/ ’ nosed her 
way out through the straits of Dover, toward the 
open sea; she carried a varied cargo of cloth, 
foodstuffs, ammunition and guns. In addition to 
these, she also carried a passenger list of approxi¬ 
mately one hundred souls—men and women, 
bound for the American Settlements, in the new 
world. 

The composition of the passenger list of the 
“Essex’’ could be said to be quite as varied as 
her cargo. There were those on board who hoped 
to profit in new exploitations, while there were 
some who were out merely as adventurers, will¬ 
ing to take conditions as they found them. Others 
still, were off to join the Crown’s military forces 
in the Settlements, and a few professional men, 
as well as carpenters, saddlers, and artisans, 
while John Strang, Cecille, Alice Hull, and a 
few others booked their passage as missionary 
teachers. 

Few indeed were those aboard who fully real¬ 
ized the possible hazards that go with a voyage 
the like of which they had just embarked upon. 

John Strang sat in deep meditation, gazing 
seaward toward America. In his reflective mind 
he had chosen to paint a pleasant picture of a 
fine church filled to overflowing with half-savage 
spirits seeking salvation and truth. 

Cecille Hull sat at his side. In her reflective 
mind she had chosen to paint a pleasant picture 
of herself sitting beside a great general,—Bil- 
lingsly,— who was looking down upon a smartly- 
dressed body of troops as they passed in review. 

Alice Hull also sat at Strang’s side. In her 
reflective mind there arose the picture of a hand¬ 
some young naval officer,—Baldrige,—who was 


THE PIRATE SHIP—‘ ‘ JUANA *’ 25 

in the role of commander of the port of a promi¬ 
nent coast town. 

If they had only looked to leeward, they might 
have seen a strange sail traveling parallel with 
the “Essex.” If they would have interested 
themselves in the movements of the “Essex’s” 
commander, Drake, and studied the expression on 
his face, as he paced back and forth upon the 
deck, glass in hand, they surely could have read 
the signs that would have told them that the 
strange sail to leeward was causing him no little 
concern. 

Evening came, then night, then again dawn and 
daylight, with Captain Drake scanning across the 
blue expanse, which separated him a shorter dis¬ 
tance than on the previous day from the unknown 
vessel that was still hovering to leeward. 

The rising sun of three consecutive mornings 
brought into full relief the four bold masts of a 
ship of unknown character, whose general out¬ 
line could easily be computed to outclass the “Es¬ 
sex” in every respect. 

When darkness came again, through motives 
known only to himself, Captain Drake pulled the 
course of the “Essex” to a right angle aft the 
stranger’s course; and with the advantage of a 
full wind with all sails set, the next dawn left the 
horizon clear, with no visible sail from any quar¬ 
ter. With her bow held in this direction for a 
full day and a night, the “Essex” was again 
brought to a larboard angle into a parallel with 
her original course. 

Another day and a night with a decreasing cross 
wind, brought into close view the bold outline of 
the four-master, which Captain Drake had 
sought to elude. She was bearing down hard 


26 


PETER BURLING, PIRATE 


across the “Essex’s” bow, and by a skilful ma¬ 
neuvering she made a complete circle, bringing up 
on the “Essex's” larboard side so close that her 
lee plate divulged the name—“Juana.” 

Captain Drake's first surprise at the sudden 
appearance of the stranger was further augment¬ 
ed when he read the name “Juana,” in bronzed 
letters on her bow. What those bronzed letters 
meant to Drake, was a quick understanding that 
his own vessel was being beset by one Peter 
Burling, the most daring pirate known in the an¬ 
nals of the sea. 

The plan of action to be determined by Captain 
Drake in this new emergency, was contingent 
upon the attitude to be assumed on the part of 
the pirate, Burling. Be it said in Drake's favor, 
that he was noted for his coolness under circum¬ 
stances of a more or less grave nature, and his 
present plight proved not to be an exception to 
other emergencies of a trying nature which he 
had successfully met in his shrewd calculating 
way. 

The final outcome to a policy of resistance on 
the part of Drake, could possibly have but one 
result, the destruction of his vessel, for the pirate 
craft bristled with guns of a heavy caliber, and 
otherwise outclassed the “Essex” in every way. 
However, Drake did not under-estimate the power 
of his own ship. With four howitzers placed 
fore and aft, he felt a sense of relief in knowing 
that the very close range to which the two vessels 
had drifted, offered him an opportunity to inflict 
a heavy damage against his superior foe. 

Captain Drake's first consideration for the wel¬ 
fare of his passengers caused him to choose a 
policy of dickering, rather than that of open eon- 


THE PIRATE SHIP—‘ ‘ JUANA ’’ 


27 


flict. Owing to a moderately calm sea, and the 
proximity of the two vessels, communication be¬ 
tween them was not a difficult matter. Peter 
Burling was the first to speak. 

“Aye, aye, my fine merchanter, and to what 
King do you brag allegiance? and what errand 
brings you in this quarter of the sea?” 

“I am Captain Drake, and hold charter and 
commission from the English Crown; I am out 
from the port of Dover, bound for the American 
Colonies,” answered Drake. 

“You’re two days off your course, with but a 
poor cross wind in your favor. Will you make 
honest confession to all that your hulk contains 
in men and goods?” questioned Burling. 

“With provision and cloth I am well laden. 
Aside from my sail menders and helmsmen, the 
balance of my charge is reckoned as being a 
hundred souls,” answered Drake. 

“As a free ship-master by right of birth, and 
holding allegiance to no king or sovereign, I, 
Peter Burling, with the power vested in me as a 
commander of the open sea, demand that you 
surrender your craft and cargo with all hands,” 
said the pirate commander. 

“All of cloth that is contained in my hold I 
freely surrender, along with all provisions except 
that which might be kept in store as a require¬ 
ment for the balance of my journey,” returned 
Drake. 

“Aye, Master Drake, you speak as if you had 
the whole of the English navy at your back. Must 
I repeat, that I desire your immediate and uncon¬ 
ditional surrender or be sunk in this three hun¬ 
dred fathom of water and sharks!” reiterated 
Burling. 


28 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

“ ’Tis a hard and cruel choice that you have 
offered me, Master Burling, but before surren¬ 
dering my vessel I shall consider it my duty to re¬ 
quire you to acquaint me with how your men will 
behave toward the gentle women that I carry 
aboard the ‘Essex’?” answered Drake. 

“ There are those who have cruised these waters 
who consider women as lawful booty in an honest 
enterprise, and though some of my men are in 
need of wives, you can believe me, sir, Master 
Drake, when I say that your women would be 
more safe aboard the ‘ Juana/ than among the 
half-breeds that are to be found among your 
American Settlements. There never has, nor 
shall there ever be, any advances made toward 
decent women on a ship of mine; except those 
that could be considered quite right and moral in 
honest courtship.” 

These honest phrases from the lips of such a 
noteworthy pirate as Peter Burling, were a com¬ 
plete surprise to Drake. He stiffened in aston¬ 
ishment as his mind flashed back quickly over the 
black record that had been charged to Burling’s 
account; and for a moment he did not speak. 
Burling broke the silence by addressing Drake 
further. 

“Pull down on your helm, Master Drake, and 
draw over close, so that I can leash to your side 
and make an inventory of your cargo.” 

Drake hesitated, debating in his own mind 
whether or not the pirate was resorting to treach¬ 
ery. Reaching the decision that a bad situation 
could be made but little worse, he ordered his 
helmsman to draw closer to the “Juana’s” side. 
The sea being comparatively calm permitted the 
two vessels to be leashed together. The hour 


THE PIRATE SHIP — 11 JUAN A , ’ 


29 


being early, most of the ‘ * Essex V’ passengers 
were yet in their berths. The greater part of her 
crew were stationed at strategical points on the 
open deck, determined and grim, ready to sell 
their lives dearly if the situation developed into 
one of violence. The preliminary work of secur¬ 
ing the fastenings of the two ships being finished, 
the pirate commander addressed the “Essex's” 
captain again. 

“Master Drake, you will see that you are out¬ 
classed by a superior ship; and greatly outnum¬ 
bered in men and guns. Must I give you fair 
warning also, that any act of resistance on the 
part of yourself or men, will mean that your decks 
will be washed in your own blood, and your bodies 
thrown to the sharks! I do further assure you 
that in submitting to peaceful capture, you shall 
be accorded only such treatment as that which 
prevails as the custom in an honest enterprise. 
You will do me the favor, sir, to disarm your men 
and line them up to be shackled while we look over 
your cargo.” 

Drake summoned his men into a group on the 
forward deck of the “Essex,” and after removing 
their side arms instructed them to submit to being 
shackled. Turning to Burling he said: 

“Master Burling, you will see that I am placing 
great faith in your words by complying with your 
orders. As commander of the ‘ Essex/ I feel it 
my duty to ask that you proceed with mercy in 
the work you are now to go about. ” 

i 1 Granted, sir ,’ 9 answered Burling with a slight 
bow, at the same time giving a sweeping gesture 
with his arms as a signal to his men to step aboard 
the “Essex.” 

A brief description would reveal evidence that 


30 


PETER BURLING, PIRATE 


the pirate craft was manned to a full maximum 
with men of a dozen nationalities. Tall men of 
the Slav type towered above the slender-waisted 
French and Spanish of shorter stature. Not a 
few were there also of the heavy-chested English, 
who did not go unnoticed by Drake, as he let his 
scrutinizing glances fall among them. Aside from 
the scars of former conflicts, most of these men 
could be considered as quite good looking. From 
a physical standpoint they looked as if they were 
well fed and in fine mettle. Peter Burling him¬ 
self could be described as a man of not more than 
thirty years, and he stood a little less than six 
feet in height; broad of shoulder and heavy 
chested, with waist and limbs to match a well 
muscled and finely contoured body. With a mod¬ 
erately high forehead, his facial features could 
be considered as strikingly handsome. His gen¬ 
eral profile from every angle bespoke for him 
commanding strength and leadership. Many 
years of his life had been spent as a sea-farer and 
pirate, and he came by his calling through the 
fact that his father before him had been a pirate, 
as also had his grandfather, back in the olden 
days when Havana was a walled city. 


V 

Lefevee Walks the Plank 

The first work to be performed by the pirate 
crew on boarding the ‘ 4 Essex,’’ was to shackle 
Drake’s men with band and leg irons. This ac¬ 
complished, Burling ordered Drake to go below 
and bring all of bis passengers to the open deck. 
This was done, and as they came forth, the men 
were set in irons, while the women were placed 
aside upon another quarter of the deck. 

For reasons known only to himself, Drake, af¬ 
ter apprising them of the state of affairs, arrang¬ 
ed that John Strang, Cecille and Alice Hull, 
should he the last three of his passengers to face 
their pirate captors. Strang submitted to being 
shackled without protest. Cecille Hull became 
hysterical, while Alice smiled faintly and at the 
direction of Drake, took up her position with the 
rest of the women. Her gaze swept the open sea, 
as if in quest of a sail, and her thoughts were of 
Dan Baldrige, and rescue, but there was no sail. 
Then, with her hands clasped in front of her, she 
raised her eyes heavenward in an attitude of 
prayer. 

After satisfying himself as to the contents of 
the “Essex's” cargo, Burling gave orders for a 
small part of its removal to his own vessel. This 
accomplished, he busied himself with the plan of 
disposition of the “Essex’s” crew and passengers 
—and the vessel itself. 

“Master Drake,” began Burling, “you have as 
31 


32 


PETER BURLING, PIRATE 


a passenger one Henri Lefevre, who, once upon a 
time, was a mate on my own ship. He is a com¬ 
mon spy, and today may be found serving the 
English, and tomorrow in pay of the French. He 
is the only one of your passengers against whom 
I shall lay a hand of violence.” 

“With what particular offense do you charge 
Henri Lefevre ?” asked Drake. 

“Offense enough, Master Drake/ ’ replied 
Burling. “Was it not I who placed him in com¬ 
mand of a vessel with instructions to bring off 
some food and provisions from one of your Set¬ 
tlements? But instead he led forty brave men 
into a trap of his own making; and those that 
were not killed at the time were later hanged. 
’Twas murder and nothing else, and I have since 
learned that one Major Billingsly received a 
handsome sum of gold as a reward for his part 
in the affair. Also I hear that one of your young 
naval men, Baldrige by name, has since been com¬ 
missioned a Lieutenant Commander, by his con¬ 
nivance with Lefevre in taking the ship. ’Tis 
enough, and the vagabond, Lefevre, shall pay 
with his life within this hour, as a penalty for the 
part he took in betraying such brave men.” 

Drake dropped his gaze to the deck and re¬ 
mained silent. Burling ordered the leg irons re¬ 
moved from Lefevre’s ankles. A long plank was 
made fast at the edge of the “ Essex V’ deck, 
with one end extending outward and overhanging 
the open water. Two parallel lines of men with 
stern faces formed a path leading toward the 
plank. Lefevre, blindfolded, and with wrists se¬ 
curely braceleted, was led forward. He was 
halted before entering between the two lines of 
men, and Burling addressed him: 


LEFEVRE WALKS THE PLANK 33 


1 ‘Aye, aye, Lefevre, traitorous dog! The queer 
turn of affairs are indeed marvelous. Within this 
twelve-month you have passed from a well-fed 
mate with plenty of grog to that of a common spy. 
Little did you think that after leading those brave 
men to the slaughter, that you would ever be 
brought before me for judgment. Aye, who will 
be your judge after I am through with you? 
Answer me that. Let’s see what you have at 
your waist.” 

Here Burling opened Lefevre’s waist-coat and 
removed a heavy leathern belt that encircled his 
body. “Aye, as I expected, a good measure of 
French and English gold. ’Twill do you no good 
now, Lefevre, the sharks might relish the belt of 
leather along with your body, but they have no 
appetite for gold. I give you the choice of tor¬ 
ture by having your bones broken, or calling by 
name the French and Englishmen who gave you 
this yellow metal?” 

“ Billingsly, ” answered Lefevre. 

“Aye for the Englishman, but who was the 
Frencher?” 

“Jourdain,” answered Lefevre in a low tremu¬ 
lous voice. 

“Billingsly and Jourdain, two names I shall 
keep in mind, and two men with whom I shall deal 
in a manner and at a time of my own choosing. 
Is your palm itching for more gold, Lefevre? Can 
you give me more information in exchange for 
two handsful of yellow coin?” 

“Ah, Master Burling, as you have said, the 
sharks have no relish for gold. What then would 
it gaineth me to tell you much of which I know 
to be of great concern to you ? ’ ’ said Lefevre, with 
a shrug of his shoulders. 


34 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

“Much do I hold in my power to offer, Lefevre. 
What would it gaineth me should I cheat the 
sharks, and offer you a berth on the ‘Juana,’ with 
grog a plenty, in exchange for all the secrets you 
may have the power to divulge?” 

“Ah, Master Burling, what have others gained 
by the secrets I have sold them? Have not the 
French gained whole provinces? And the Eng¬ 
lish greatly increased the number of their ships? 
I, Henri Lefevre, truthfully say that I can give 
such information as will make both Billingsly and 
Jourdain your prisoners within a fortnight. 
Could I also lead you to caches of guns and pro¬ 
visions. To a vault filled to overflowing with rich 
treasure, too. All of these things will I gladly 
do in exchange for my liberty.” Thus spoke 
Lefevre in a half-pleading tone. 

“To give you liberty lies within my power, 
Lefevre, but you may hold your secrets for fur¬ 
ther barter at the gates of hell. You have ten 
paces to walk, three hundred fathom of water, 
and nine hundred miles to the nearest point of 
land. If you are a good swimmer, and hold up 
your courage, you may reach the Colonies by the 
first of the new year. Step off, traitorous dog, 
and beware of the sharks! ’ ’ 

At the conclusion of his taunting speech, Bur¬ 
ling took Lefevre by the shoulder and jerked him 
around to a position facing the lane formed by 
the two rows of men, and leading to the plank and 
the open sea. Lefevre took a few steps forward, 
then faltered, as if to make further overtures to 
his captor. 

“Master Burling, can you show me no mercy? 
Can you condemn your own soul by killing me in 
this manner? Can you—” 


LEFEVRE WALKS THE PLANK 35 


44 Silence, dog!” shouted Burling. ‘‘Another 
word and I shall put you to the torture.” 

The peculiar sliding sound produced by un¬ 
sheathing sabers, coupled with Burling’s threat 
of torture, proved an effective means in causing 
Lefevre to resume the short journey that led on¬ 
ward toward the end of the plank and eternity. 
Each step was marked by palsied fear and trem¬ 
bling, and as his last stride carried his body into 
space, he gave a terrified scream at impending 
death. The splash of his body was shortly fol¬ 
lowed by a violent agitation of the water into 
swirling foam, streaked with scarlet lines. 

“The sharks seem to be uncommon hungry in 
this quarter,” said Burling, as he leaned over 
the rail and watched Lefevre’s body being torn 
to fragments by those ravenous fish. 

The grim business of Lefevre’s execution in 
accordance with the pirate code ended, Burling 
at once busied himself with the task of the dis¬ 
position of the captured vessel and its comple¬ 
ment of human souls. His decrees were put into 
effect only after giving each passenger the liberal 
choice of remaining on the “Essex,” or taking a 
berth on his own ship. To all he gave assurances 
that no harm should come to them. 

Captain Drake with his helmsmen and sail- 
menders were taken aboard the “Juana,” as cap¬ 
tives, but with courtesy and liberal grants of 
privileges and freedom. The “Essex” was 
placed in command of a new crew made up from 
Burling’s own men. A goodly number of her 
passengers remained aboard, choosing to cast 
their lot with any chance that fate might offer. 
At the solicitation of Drake, John Strang, Cecille 
and Alice Hull went aboard the “Juana.” All 


36 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

details of the transfer being finished, the lines 
that held the two vessels together were loosened, 
and they slowly drifted apart. Burling stood at 
the rail of the “Juana,’’ giving instructions to 
one Pedersen, new commander of the “Essex.” 

“Hold wide of the northeast coast, Pedersen, 
for you will find English boats lurking there, and 
when you have safely passed, bear hard for Moro 
Castle. I will meet you in Havana, at the month’s 
end, and we shall barter for some Spanish gold. ’’ 

A freshening wind filled the “Essex’s” sails, 
and she slid gracefully away. A school of sharks 
showed their white bellies as they scampered in 
her wake. Drake sat and gazed in silence, as the 
sails of his vessel grew smaller and smaller, until 
they seemed as but a small white feather floating 
out across an endless blue, finally passing entirely 
out of sight. 

Burling’s own ship, the “Juana,” leaned lei¬ 
surely against the wind, marking time, until he 
should decide on a choice direction to be steered. 
Burling seemed to be in no hurry. He went among 
those whom had been so recently placed aboard 
his ship, and made inquiry as regarded their com¬ 
fort and well being. His whole demeanor was 
that of pleasing affability. 

His every manner and action was performed 
with courtesy, which had the effect to allay much 
of fear and apprehension. The stern mood 
that was his at the execution of Lefevre, had 
passed, like a storm with its darkness, to be fol¬ 
lowed by a spirit of cheerfulness and good will. 
An extra goblet of rum was ordered passed to 
all hands, and to the dejected Drake, Burling 
personally proffered a second and a third glass. 

“Drink freely, Master Drake, the grog may 


LEFEVRE WALKS THE PLANK 37 


arouse your worried faculties to a better under¬ 
standing of a situation that is not bad after all, 
and one which no doubt would have proved much 
worse, had you fallen into the hands of those cut¬ 
throats—the French privateers,” and he passed 
on to that quarter of the vessel where the Rev. 
Strang and the Misses Hull were stationed. 

“Aye, Mister Strang, would you care to indulge 
in a measure of rum? It has been properly aged, 
and your friend, Captain Drake, has vouched for 
its quality by drenching his throat with a third 
glass.” 

“Nay nay, Master Burling,” returned Strang, 
“ ’twould be contrary to my honest belief and 
teachings, and no doubt further burden my con¬ 
science to let other than sacramental wine pass 
my lips. I am against hard liquor, but agree with 
those who indulge in an occasional mug of ale.” 

‘ ‘ A dozen casks of ale have I, Mister Strang, of 
your own English brew, some of which I shall 
have placed on draught for your indulgence. And 
would your companions, the gentle ladies, prefer 
some light wine or a goblet of strong tea?” in¬ 
quired Burling, with a polite bow. 

Alice Hull looked at her aunt, Cecille, and both 
looked at Strang, as if seeking guidance and ad¬ 
vice in determining the manner to be assumed by 
them toward Burling. 

“The ladies are much worn by travel,” said 
Strang, “and would no doubt be grateful in ac¬ 
cepting some light stimulant. I speak for them, 
Master Burling, in prescribing for each a glass 
of hot tea, spiked with a thimbleful of rum. 
’Twill soothe their feelings, and encourage them 
to brighter reflections on the new situation in 
which they find themselves. For myself, Master 


38 


PETER BURLING, PIRATE 


Burling, I suggest a full quart of ale with a crust 
of bread which I shall break with these gentle 
women.’’ 

“Granted, sir, with pleasure,’ , replied Burling. 
“Will you please step into my quarters where 
you will be served at once.” 

Burling led the way, followed by Strang and 
his two feminine companions, into the pirate com¬ 
mander’s private cabin on the upper deck. His 
entrance into his own quarters was marked by 
the appearance of a maid servant of the pro¬ 
nounced Spanish type, and a male steward. Both 
busied themselves with the task of seeing the new¬ 
comers comfortably seated. This accomplished, 
they stood themselves aside in silent attention. 

“Molbech, you will at once turn a cask of ale 
and place a pitcher of the same with some bread 
before our new friend, Mister Strang,” said Bur¬ 
ling, addressing his steward. “And you, Terese, 
put a dash of rum in two goblets of hot tea, for 
these fair and gentle ladies,” he added, address¬ 
ing the maid, who bent her knee in a splendid bow, 
at the same time bestowing a friendly smile that 
displayed two rows of white teeth, that were quite 
in keeping with her other strikingly beautiful 
features. 

Molbech and Terese, steward and maid respec¬ 
tively, soon returned with the sparkling refresh¬ 
ments, of which Strang and his companions par¬ 
took with great relish. Between sips of the bev¬ 
erage, they glanced about in curious wonder at 
the splendor of their new surroundings. Bur- 
ling’s compartment was luxurious and hung with 
rare tapestries and rich decorations. Mahogany 
furnishings with soft leathern upholstery stood 
in neat array on every hand. 


LEFEVKE WALKS THE PLANK 39 


Beautiful paintings, the art of master hands, 
formed a graceful setting upon the walls. Shelves 
filled with books of philosophy, drama, religion, 
art, history, all by great authors. Maps, geo¬ 
graphical drawings, wind and water currents, 
soundings, astronomical charts, etc., lay in neat 
arrangement upon a table. All in all, the interior 
of Burling’s ship was equipped to the point of 
being a floating palace, well provisioned, and with 
its exterior bristling with heavy cannon. 

Their repast of tea and ale finished, Strang, at 
the behest of Burling, was given over to the care 
of Molbech, who performed the duty of assign¬ 
ing the divine to his new quarters. Cecille and 
Alice were taken in charge by Terese, who, by her 
very charming grace and manner, immediately 
won her way into their affections. 

Any previous apprehension that may have been 
entertained by those who had so lately come 
aboard the “Juana,” in the way of harm or vio¬ 
lence, had by this time been partly if not wholly 
allayed. 

In very striking contrast to the common beliefs 
and fears, the circumstance of being a captive 
aboard a pirate vessel, especially one command¬ 
ed by such a noteworthy figure as Peter Burling, 
gave promise of developing into a situation that 
could not be considered as unpleasant after all. 
In fact, it could be regarded as a distinct advan¬ 
tage by having the superior comforts offered by 
a larger ship of the “Juana’s” type, as compared 
against a smaller vessel like the “Essex.” Bar¬ 
ring the uncertainties of a final destination, there 
remained little cause for further anxiety, and the 
newcomers on the pirate craft settled down to 


40 PETEE BUELING, PIEATE 

the business of adjusting themselves to their new 
environs. 

At a conference between Burling and Drake, an 
arrangement was made whereby the latter’s men 
should be released from their irons and assigned 
to the common tasks of seamanship to which each 
seemed best fitted. Drake himself was permitted 
to act in an honorary role as overseer of the ship, 
in conjunction with Burling’s most trusted mates. 
All details of assignment being complete, Burling 
gave orders that set the “ Juana’s” sails against 
the wind, with the secret of her destination locked 
within his own mind. 

Thus do we behold the marvel of a man, a 
super man, if you please, in the role of a pirate, 
bringing other men, honest men, like Drake and 
Strang, into a common fellowship, to believe in 
his own views and motives, to do his bidding will¬ 
ingly, gladly, slavishly, participating in the tasks 
of an enterprise considered to be in violation of 
the maritime laws of nations. 


VI 

The “Argyle” Captures the “Essex ’ 9 

Dan Baldrige’s duties as a naval officer con¬ 
sisted principally in patrolling the coast adjacent 
to the English Settlements of the American 
Colonies. Through his initiative and close appli¬ 
cation to duty he soon won his way into the esteem 
of higher officers and was promoted to the rank 
of a commander of a naval vessel. 

His record in dealing with pirates gave him a 
reputation that was known far and wide as the 
most fearless fighter in the Crown’s naval forces. 
At regular monthly intervals his heart was glad¬ 
dened by a cheerful letter from his fiancee, Alice 
Hull. Her last missive had conveyed the news 
of her intended sailing for the Colonies, along 
with her aunt, Cecille, and the Rev. Strang. He 
was so elated by this information that he took 
the first opportunity that offered, and went ashore 
to acquaint his friend, Major Billingsly, with this 
bright bit of news. After the usual ceremony of 
military greetings, Baldrige spoke. 

“ ’Tis with great pride in my heart, Major, 
that I’ve come ashore to report some information 
which I am quite sure you’ll consider as impor¬ 
tant, if not the most welcome, you’ve received in 
many a day.” 

“What now, my fine young man, is it that you 
have been doing! Have you towed in another pi¬ 
rate craft! If so, where shall we find the prison- 
41 


42 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

ers, that we may proceed at once with their exe¬ 
cution ?” 

“Nay nay, Major, ’tis nothing that I have to 
report concerning pirates, unless I might say that 
with the exception of Peter Burling, the sea has 
been swept clean of them—but on affairs concern¬ 
ing the heart do I bring news to you,” returned 
Baldrige. 

“Affairs of the heart? Why, man, whaUs 
whirling through your brain? You speak as if 
you were seasick. Will you have a charge of 
brandy? No? Then, speak out and make plain 
the mission that has brought you to my quar¬ 
ters,” said Billingsly, stiffening himself to mili¬ 
tary attention, and arching his brow. 

“ ’Tis well, Major. My last missive from that 
dear old town of Bradbury, states that Miss Ce- 
cille Hull would make her departure thence in a 
short time to take up her abode in the settlements. 
’Tis this what I have come ashore to tell you. 
Forewarned is forearmed, as Lefevre would say, 
and as my letter states, she would be sailing with 
Captain Drake, on the ‘ Essex,’ which vessel 
should be well along on her journey by this time, 
so I suggest that you get busy in polishing your 
brass buttons for her reception,” said Baldrige 
in a jesting tone. 

“You’ve brought me no news, Danny Baldrige, 
for it is I who, a fortnight ago, received a missive 
from Cecille Hull, which not only stated that she 
was coming to the settlements, but also she would 
be accompanied by the Rev. John Strang, and her 
niece, Alice. So it is yourself, my fine lad, that 
should be shining buttons.” 

“All true, Major, and besides this it would be 
quite fitting that you and I should begin at once 


“ARGYLE” CAPTURES “ESSEX” 43 


to cultivate a more gentle manner within our¬ 
selves. The rough business of dealing with pi¬ 
rates and savages has been the cause by which 
our souls have been hardened to a point of bru¬ 
tality that might prove repulsive to such gentle 
creatures as Cecille and Alice Hull; if not also to 
that reverend gentleman, John Strang,” return¬ 
ed Baldrige. 

“Well said, my fine lad,” said Billingsly. “ ’Tis 
quite proper that our conduct should be such as 
to meet with their approval. Instead of executing 
pirates and savages in front of the barracks here, 
they shall be taken well back toward the forest, 
out of sight, for we want no fainting women pres¬ 
ent. Also, friend Baldrige, do I advise you to 
be in good grace with the Reverend Mister Strang, 
for is it not he that you may soon require to per¬ 
form the ring service at your nuptial ceremony?” 

“It might be so, Major, it might be so,” return¬ 
ed Baldrige. “Although I am yet a young man, 
I have seen and learned much of the world, and I 
must confess to you that I am betrothed to the 
charming Alice Hull. But, on account of her 
tender age, my best judgment doesn’t dictate that 
she should so soon assume the duties and obliga¬ 
tions of wifehood. Now, on the other hand, Ma¬ 
jor, I might say that Miss Cecille Hull and your¬ 
self have both reached a more mature age, a cir¬ 
cumstance that could be looked upon as favorable 
in the way of a marriage in the not distant fu¬ 
ture. ’ 9 

“Through guesswork and presumption you are 
assuming to know much of which you are not cer¬ 
tain, my fine lad,” said Billingsly. “You’ve 
chosen to connect Cecille Hull’s name with that 
of myself in such a way as to suggest a state of 


44 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

matrimony; but it is better that we do not discuss 
the matter further. As officers sworn to do our 
best in advancing the interests of his Majesty, a 
more becoming duty to each one of us would be 
found in devising ways and means that would 
best serve in combating the enemies that beset 
us on every hand. Understand me rightly, Bal- 
drige, don’t let the wiles of women interfere with 
the sworn duties to your King. ’Tis my intention 
today to proceed deep into the forest, to perform 
the duty of strengthening the outposts against 
the savages, who seem to be in an offensive mood 
again, with all their tomahawks and scalping 
knives, to say nothing of the French rifles they 
are known to possess. You also should do the 
same in looking well to the sea. And I do hope, 
friend Baldrige, that your next errand ashore will 
be to claim the reward that is offered for Peter 
Burling’s head.” 

“Aye aye, Major, I’ll do my best to fulfill that 
hope, and I trust that your own efforts may be 
rewarded in a measure equal with that of your 
superior knowledge and talents,” said Baldrige, 
and the two officers bowed themselves from each 
other’s presence, to obey the call of duty, which 
beckoned to one from the forest, and to the other 
from the sea. 

The man-o’-war “Argyle,” commanded by the 
youthful Baldrige, cruised far at sea. Her course 
lay many leagues beyond the regular ship lanes 
that led to the American Colonies. If there were 
any reasons why she should be going far beyond 
her accustomed limit in patrolling the coast, per¬ 
haps commander Baldrige could explain them. 
At any rate the “ Argyle’s” lookout had picked 


“ARGYLE” CAPTURES “ESSEX” 45 


up the outline of a sail that stood far down to 
windward. 

“A ship ahoy, to windward, sir!” shouted the 
lookout to Baldrige. 

‘ ‘ Down on your helm! Lay all your sails to the 
wind! We will investigate the stranger,” order¬ 
ed Baldrige. 

The “Argyle” listed slightly as she swerved 
her nose around with the wind, hut soon righted 
herself in a straight away course. 

The sudden filling and flapping by the wind of 
newly-unfurled canvas cracked like a series of 
musket shots, and carried her away in a burst of 
speed. 

Dan Baldrige took up a position on the forward 
deck, and settled himself down to a speculative 
observation of the white sails that lay directly in 
his path. The speed of his own vessel being car¬ 
ried along with the wind soon brought the discern¬ 
ing outline of the stranger into view as a two- 
masted brig. 

The ever-lessening distance between the two 
vessels brought into plainer outline the whole 
body of the stranger. Baldrige raised his glass 
and focused it into a closer scrutiny. He lowered 
the glass and took a few steps forward, as if in 
an impatient effort to lessen the distance. Again 
bringing the instrument to his eyes, he adjusted 
it to a finer focus and gazed long and intently. 

“The ‘Essex,’ I am sure of it!” he exclaimed, 
half audibly, and a dozen thoughts drifted quickly 
through his mind. Bradbury—Dover—Drake— 
Alice Hull—Strang—Cecille Hull—these names 
flashing themselves across his mental vision in 
quick succession. Again he placed the glass to 
his eyes and with much painstaking, slowly spell- 


46 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

ed out the faint let'ters one by one, E-S-S-E-X. 

44 ’Tis the 4 Essex,’ and none other!” he ex¬ 
claimed again, half to himself. 4 4 But why should 
Drake be going so far wide of his course ?” was 
the next question that came into his mind. 

As he stood and watched, the “Essex” began 
turning with the wind, into a straight away 
course. The fleet 44 Argyle” drew ever closer and 
closer, while Baldrige puzzled his brain with the 
queer action of the 44 Essex.” Her turning with 
the wind as if to flee, aroused his suspicion. 

4 4 Cannot Drake see the 4 ArgyleV colors, and 
know them to be friendly?” he asked himself. 

Again he raised the glass in an endeavor to 
locate Drake or some other familiar figure on the 
44 Essex.” A surprised look came upon his hand¬ 
some features. Neither did he see Drake or any 
of his crew, but instead, he observed a score or 
more of strange men actively engaged in shack¬ 
ling other men with irons. By witnessing this 
action, it quickly dawned upon his mind that the 
44 Essex” was in the hands of pirates! 

A hot flash of anger rose up within him. An¬ 
other train of quick thoughts ran through his 
mind. Major Billingsly’s parting words about 
44 Peter Burling’s head” and 44 reward.” Would 
this be his chance? Alice Hull and her fate? 
Drake and Strang must have sold their lives 
dearly—passed through his tense faculties in a 
twinkling. 

He turned upon his heel and shouted a series 
of orders that sent men scurrying to their places 
in uncovering the “Argyle’s” guns. The two 
vessels soon became abreast of each other. A sail 
on the 4 4 Argyle’ ’ was drawn, in order to regulate 
her speed to the same as that of the 44 Essex.” 


“ARGYLE” CAPTURES “ESSEX” 47 


From the lee side of the “Essex” a howitzer 
belched forth a great volume of black smoke and 
flame that sent a ball splintering through a hang¬ 
ing spar in the “ Argyle’s” rigging. Baldrige 
gave an order to fire, and the “Argyle’s” guns 
thundered in unison, and she quivered from stem 
to stern by the great vibration of her own heavy 
cannon. 

The “Essex” replied with a series of shots 
from her heavy howitzers, augmented by the 
sharp rattle of musketry which sent a rain of 
lead among the “Argyle’s” gunners. Baldrige 
leaped to the side of his helmsman and shouted 
to him to draw in close to the “Essex.” 

“Pull hard on your helm until you feel the ves¬ 
sels strike each other, then hold them solid to¬ 
gether so we can board the other craft!” he 
shouted loudly into the helmsman’s ears, in order 
to be understood among the roar of guns. 

The ‘‘ Argyle’s’’ bow went over toward the “Es¬ 
sex,” and the jarring impact of the two vessels 
striking each other was soon felt. Firing from 
the heavy guns ceased, and Baldrige and his men 
swarmed over the “Essex’s” rail with musket, 
pistol and cutlass. They met with a furious re¬ 
sistance for a time in a hand-to-hand conflict, and 
the “Essex’s” deck soon became smeared with 
the blood that was being drawn by the keen-edged 
blades. 

Shouts and curses mingled with the groans and 
imprecations of wounded and dying men. Mus¬ 
kets used in club fashion, and wielded by power¬ 
ful hands wrought deadly execution. Confusion 
presently gave way to a gradual relax of the in¬ 
tensity of the scrimmage, and Baldrige and his 
men found themselves gaining the upper hand. 


48 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

Pedersen, the pirate commander of the “Es¬ 
sex,” was the last to be subdued. A great hulk 
of a man, with a swinging cutlass, he stood his 
ground single handed for a time after his fol¬ 
lowers had fallen, against great odds, until finally 
felled by a blow on the head with a clubbed mus¬ 
ket. 

The excitement of the battle allayed, Baldrige 
began at once to check up his own men, which 
showed a casualty list of five dead and a score 
dangerously wounded, with as many more suffer¬ 
ing from minor injuries. 

The whole of the pirate combating force lay in 
stretched and cramped positions upon the blood- 
smeared deck, some with faces downward, and 
others upon their backs with unseeing eyes gazing 
into the open sky. The fray had proved fatal to 
all of the pirate crew except Pedersen, who lay 
in a half-conscious state, a little apart from the 
rest. 

After completing arrangements for the immedi¬ 
ate care of the wounded, Baldrige turned his at¬ 
tention to the rescue of the “Essex’s” original 
passengers, who were shackled in her hold. He 
was the first to go down among them, and when 
he reached the half darkness that obtained there¬ 
in, he shouted loudly: 

“Alice, Alice, answer me,—are you here?” 

An interval of intense silence was broken by a 
chorus of voices making inquiry concerning the 
tide of the combat, and pleading to be liberated 
from their irons. A few minutes only were re¬ 
quired until they were again free, among the 
carnage upon the “Essex’s” open deck. 

By questioning the “Essex’s” passengers, 
Baldrige became fully informed concerning the 


“ARGYLE” CAPTURES “ESSEX” 49 


fate of Alice Hull and her companions. A great 
storm of resentment and bitterness swept over 
him, and as he paced the deck with clenched fists, 
he gave vent to his rage by gesticulation and 
shouting anathemas against Peter Burling. 

The dead pirates were unceremoniously cast 
overboard, while Baldrige’s own dead were car¬ 
ried aboard the “Argyle,” to be given burial 
later, with proper honor and in keeping with the 
custom of the sea. The semi-conscience Pedersen 
was carried aboard the English naval vessel and 
placed in irons. A transfer of the passengers 
with their luggage followed. The “Essex” be¬ 
gan to list sharply, and all consideration of sal¬ 
vaging her cargo was given up, and she was 
abandoned to become a derelict, floating about the 
open seas, a menace to maritime navigation, and a 
grim monument to the fierce conflict that had been 
staged upon her decks. 


VII 

Billingsly Orders Pirate Pedersen Punished 

Dan Baldrige laid his course straight toward 
the American settlements, to deliver his wounded 
into the keeping of skilled attendants and set the 
“Essex’s” passengers ashore at their eventful 
journey’s end. These duties performed after 
reaching land, he took himself straight to Major 
Billingsly’s quarters. After the customary salu¬ 
tations Billingsly was the first to speak. 

“What news and good cheer do you bring from 
the sea today, friend Baldrige? Has the 4 Es¬ 
sex’ made this port, and do you come again to say 
that our guests have arrived safely? Or do I 
see ill omen painted upon your haggard counte¬ 
nance? Speak my lad, be it good news or bad, you 
shall have an attentive ear.” 

“Ah, Major, I’ve come with a heavy burden 
upon my soul. While cruising far out, I came 
upon Drake’s vessel, and found her to he in com¬ 
mand of some of Peter Burling’s own men. In 
subduing them the Crown has lost five brave men 
with a score or more lying in yonder barracks for 
treatment of their wounds. Strang and the two 
gentle women are missing along with Drake, and 
I am informed by some of the ‘Essex’s’ passen¬ 
gers, that they are captives aboard Burling’s own 
craft. In the confusion of the fight, some of my 
gunners fired low on the ‘Essex,’ and she has be¬ 
come a drifter. Of the crew of twenty pirates, 


PIRATE PEDERSEN IS PUNISHED 51 


nineteen have gone overboard, and I hold one in 
irons aboard the ‘Argyle.’ ” 

Billingsly arched his brow and stared at the 
young officer in open-eyed surprise. He clinched 
his fists and gazed toward the harbor, while con¬ 
flicting emotions of the moment held their sway. 
Finally he spoke. 

‘ ‘ ’Tis indeed a sad piece of news that you have 
to report, my lad, and it has come upon me like 
a dagger’s thrust. Though I heartily commend 
your valorous action in subduing those soulless 
vultures of the sea, ’tis a pity that Burling was 
not among them; and an outrage and disgrace 
for those innocent women to be within his power. 
To think of his deeds of plunder and rapine sends 
a shudder through my soul! My God, Baldrige, 
can your mind conceive anything more horrible 
than this villain making off to the tropics with his 
evil mind set upon despoiling those two gentle 
women? Can’t something be done at once to in¬ 
tercept his vessel and forestall his evil designs?” 

“Nay, Major, ’twould he but a mere chance to 
so soon run upon the offender on that wide ex¬ 
panse of water. He is a cunning mariner, and at 
this very moment may be well on his way to some 
secluded spot to leisurely gloat over his rich prize. 
Our patience will be sorely tried, sir, but we must 
endure it until such time as he shall choose to 
come forth again. I suggest to bring here the 
lone pirate that I hold as a captive aboard the 
‘ Argyle. ’ Though the culprit has a broken head, 
we may extort a confession from him that might 
prove useful in our future dealings with Peter 
Burling himself.” 

“You are quite right, my lad,” said Billingsly. 
“Bring him here at once. If the vagabond is 


52 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

sullen and refuses to talk, I shall very soon devise 
a means by which he will be glad to wag his 
tongue. In addition, he shall be executed in a 
manner extraordinary, and quite in keeping with 
the foulness of his deeds. Bring him forth, Bal- 
drige, that we may proceed with this business at 
once.” 

The younger officer saluted and retired; and af¬ 
ter an interval of a half hour, re-appeared at 
Billingsly’s quarters with the prisoner and some 
guards. 

“ Major, I beg the honor, sir, to bring before 
you, one Pedersen, pirate, the right-hand man of 
Peter Burling. He was found in command of his 
Majesty’s brig, the ‘Essex,’ and offered such re¬ 
sistance as caused the loss of five able seamen. 
It will be my pleasure to put into effect any order 
of judgment that you may choose to pronounce 
upon this man. ’ ’ 

“Speak up, my pretty pirate, Pedersen,” began 
Billingsly in a voice and manner that was charged 
with bitterness, “and tell us all you know about 
your own pirate skipper, Burling, and don’t bur¬ 
den your soul with lies, in these, your last mo¬ 
ments.” 

“What in particular do you wish to know con¬ 
cerning Captain Burling!” asked Pedersen in a 
cool quiet tone. 

“To what port is he bound! And what colors 
hang from his mast!” questioned Billingsly, 
pointedly. 

“Why not get this information from Lefevre! 
Have you not paid him handsomely to furnish 
it!” returned Pedersen in the same cool evasive 
tone. 

“What! Lefevre! And what is it then that 


PIRATE PEDERSEN IS PUNISHED 53 


yon know concerning Lefevre?” returned Bil¬ 
lingsly, sharply. 

‘ 4 That in addition to taking the gold you prof¬ 
fered him, he has also accepted pay from the 
Frencher, Jourdain.” 

“Aye, Mister Pedersen, you are giving infor¬ 
mation that is indeed interesting. I’ll take this 
matter up with Lefevre when he returns.” 

‘ ‘ Of very little service will he ever be to either 
yourself or Jourdain,” volunteered Pedersen. 

“Why?” questioned Billingsly. 

“Because the sharks have sickened themselves 
by feasting upon his rotten carcass,” answered 
Pedersen. 

“What? At whose hands has he become food 
for the sharks?” asked Billingsly in surprise. 

“At the hands of none other than good Cap 
Burling, the best skipper that sails the seven 
seas,” returned Pedersen. 

“What do you know of Captain Drake and 
John Strang? Have they also become food for 
the sharks?” 

“They are both doing service for Master Bur¬ 
ling, and doing it gladly. I’ve no doubt that they 
have signed up to be a part of his regular crew. 
Cap Burling has a way about him that holds men’s 
friendships, and he is also highly esteemed by 
women,” said Pedersen in a tone of boasting. 

“Am I right, Pedersen, in assuming that your 
pirate master will force his advances upon the 
two gentle women that have so lately gone aboard 
his craft?” questioned Billingsly again. 

“No. You are wrong in thinking that your two 
women will be subjected to any treatment other 
than the courtesy that is due them. There has 
always been women aboard the ‘ Juana,’ and Cap 


54 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

Burling has never been found wanting in raising 
his hand in their defense. He may do well to pro¬ 
tect himself against the advances of the women, 
for it’s a handsome fellow that he is, with his fine 
manner and good speech. You may rest assured 
that no harm will come to your gentle ladies, but 
if it is their affections you wish to guard, that is 
quite another matter. The ways of women are 
peculiar, and Cap Burling has always shared 
heavily in their esteem. Not that he has courted 
it, but rather in the manner in which it has been 
thrust upon him. ’Tis I, that have been with him 
at Bombay when an Indian Princess bestowed rich 
gifts upon him and begged to be taken aboard his 
ship, to journey forth with him upon the sea. I 
also know that when he goes ashore at Havana, 
he is feasted and entertained by noble ladies in 
the finest castles. And he always comes away 
with costly gifts from them. Aye, it is indeed 
wonderful the way the fair ones shower him with 
their affections.’’ 

Pedersen’s effusive speech was skilful in serv¬ 
ing his own motives in two ways. First, by as¬ 
suring them that no harm would come to the 
ladies, Billingsly and Baldrige had been led into 
a certain sense of relief as regarded the personal 
welfare of Cecille and Alice Hull. Secondly, his 
adroit speech in boasting of the amours concern¬ 
ing Peter Burling and the gentle sex, had the ef¬ 
fect to pique the two English officers to the point 
of jealous anger. 

Billingsly gave Baldrige a studying glance, as 
if to ascertain whether or not the younger offi¬ 
cer’s thoughts were traveling through the same 
channel as his own, in a newly-formed state of 


PIRATE PEDERSEN IS PUNISHED 55 


jealousy and hate. He presently resumed his in¬ 
quisitorial duties. 

4 4 Do you have the effrontery to stand before 
me and intimate that such well-bred women as 
Cecille and Alice Hull would stoop so low as to 
cast reflections upon themselves by bestowing a 
smile upon a cut-throat like Peter Burling ?” 

4 4 Titled women have bestowed more than smiles 
upon him. In addition to rich gifts, they have 
bestowed much love and affection. Besides, Cap 
Burling is a handsome skipper, and the ways of 
women are peculiar/’ answered Pedersen with a 
shrug of his heavy shoulders. 

Billingsly gave Baldrige another studying look, 
then shifted the line of his inquiry to a new tack. 

4 4 Do you hold allegiance to any king or sover¬ 
eign, my man ? Also state your age and vocation, 
so that our records may be properly taken.” 

44 1 am just past forty-two, and since boyhood a 
mariner by choice, and hold allegiance to none 
other than Master Peter Burling,” answered 
Pedersen. 

4 4 Which means that you shall be dealt with in 
an uncommon way, Mister Pedersen. Shooting 
or hanging will not suffice for a dog like you,” 
said Billingsly, bitterly. 

4 4 Do your worst and be damned, I have but one 
life to be taken, and you’ll not find me squealing 
like an English pig in the taking of it, either, ’ ’ re¬ 
torted Pedersen. 

44 Enough!” growled Billingsly. 44 By the sea 
have you lived, by it also shall you die. Baldrige, 
take this man a good three days’ journey to sea. 
Give him twenty strokes with the flat side of a 
sabre. Shackle his right arm to his left nether 
limb behind him, and cast him adrift in a small 


56 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

boat. Provision him with a canteen of water and 
one pound of raw flour. Provide him with an 
oar for a rudder. Accoutre him with an empty 
musket and a broken cutlass, which will enable 
him to resume the work he loves so well, that of a 
pirate upon the high seas. Bid him a gainful 
voyage with pleasant dreams of fair women and 
rich treasure. Away with him!” Billingsly con¬ 
cluded with a sweeping gesture of his hand to¬ 
ward the sea. 

Thus, in due time, Pedersen was flogged and 
cast adrift in a small boat, in accordance with the 
details of the sentence which Billingsly had laid 
down as his punishment. 

Evening twilight came, and with it a storm, 
then night with its inky darkness. Gloom, aided 
by the elements of nature, seemed to have cast its 
long black shadow across the whole universe. 
Landsmen took to the shelter of their own fire¬ 
sides, while seafarers leashed themselves to their 
posts of duty, or sought the seclusion of their 
narrow bunk-rooms. 

Dan Baldrige sat at a table in his private quar¬ 
ters aboard the “Argyle,” with his head pillowed 
upon his arms, in deep remorse. From fatigue 
and loss of sleep he felt his hazy imagination 
drifting swiftly over events of the recent past. 
He drew a mental vision of Alice Hull in an at¬ 
titude of prayer. He heard her voice, calling him, 
and quickly rose to his feet, startled, and listened 
intently, but heard nothing but the wind, howling 
angrily through the ship’s rigging, and a noisy 
flapping of sails. 

Midnight. The storm still raging. Billingsly 
was pacing back and forth within the confines of 
his own quarters, indulging in an occasional 


PIRATE PEDERSEN IS PUNISHED 57 


draught of brandy to soothe his troubled con¬ 
science. The super ship 61 Juana,’ r with its pe¬ 
culiarly varied company of human souls, was 
drifting out of the storm gracefully, with Peter 
Burling and John Strang conversing earnestly. 
The ill-fated “Essex,” decks awash, was drifting 
with the storm, a derelict, drifting in the dark¬ 
ness. Pedersen, in an open boat, his right arm 
shackled to his left nether limb, with an empty 
musket and a broken cutlass, was drifting with 
the tempest, in the blackness of the night, drift¬ 
ing, drifting. 


VIII 

Peter Burling, Pirate 

The break of dawn was marked by a subsiding 
of the storm. The rising sun of a new day cast 
a gleam of brightness that radiated welcome 
beams of hope to those who had felt the fury of 
the passing tempest. The waters again became 
tranquil, and the forests once more assumed their 
beautiful mysterious calm, broken only by the 
voice of birds, w r hose instincts had been gladdened 
into song by the glorious sunshine. 

The tempest and darkness which had prevailed, 
and that had driven calloused men into depressed 
moods, had now passed, and with the brightness 
of a new day, fresh hope sprung anew in the 
breasts of men. New plans of conquest, piracy, 
aggression, commercial exploitation, love and re¬ 
ligion evolved themselves over and over again 
in the cunning minds of master men. 

In a renewed effort to gain mastery in these 
pursuits, men and women again gave themselves 
eagerly to the achievement of the particular proj¬ 
ects in which their highest interests and hopes 
were involved. Not among the least of these were 
the principal characters of this narrative. 

Peter Burling laid a wide course toward Ha¬ 
vana Harbor. His general direction led in nearly 
the same quarter as that in which he had been 
preceded several days by Pedersen with the ill- 
fated “ Essex .’ y 

The staunch vessel, 44 Juana,” had ridden out 


PETER BURLING, PIRATE 59 

the gale with little or no damage to herself. Be¬ 
cause of this, Burling felt a sense of pride, and 
he paced her decks fore and aft several times, 
looking well to the halyards and closely scruti¬ 
nizing the lofty cedar masts that had so lately 
withstood the battering wind. The look of satis¬ 
faction that came over his handsome countenance 
mirrored the reflection of a contented mood, and 
noticing Drake standing at the rail, he drew up 
at his side and engaged him in a friendly confab. 

“Aye, Master Drake, do you read the signs 
which tell us that the nor Vest gale has passed 
on to another quarter? And that a season of fair 
weather is at hand ? ’’ 

“I do, Master Burling,’’ answered Drake, “and 
am grateful at such a time as this which has just 
passed, to be aboard a staunch ship like the 
‘Juana.’ But I am much concerned also as re¬ 
gards the fate of other less fortunate shipmasters. 
Have they fared so well as we in weathering such 
a storm?” 

“Nay,” answered Burling, “ ’tis a question 
that has come to my mind also. Many skippers 
have gone down with the storm, and the sharks 
will have a season of feasting. Methinks much 
concerning my good mate Pedersen, and the ‘Es¬ 
sex. ’ Although I have understood the many signs 
of ill omen that were written on the waves just 
before the storm, I still have hope that Pedersen 
has ridden out the gale.” 

“Very little hope should we entertain concern¬ 
ing the ‘Essex,’ ” returned Drake, “for it is I, 
her lawful skipper, that knows the vessel well. 
She is heavy by the head, and luffs badly in a 
stiff wind. Her shrouds and halyards are much 
worn and ragged, and I had bethought myself to 


60 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

have them renewed before the next voyage. Her 
garboard strakes are sprung, and she is leaking 
by the stern. Besides, her main mast is cracked 
at the base, and there is no jury-post aboard. By 
knowing that she is manned by a new crew, and 
understanding the fury of the gale, I’ve no hope 
of ever seeing my beloved ‘Essex’ again.” 

“Aye, Master Drake, ’tis a gloomy picture that 
you choose to paint so soon after passing safely 
through such a storm; and at a time like this, with 
fine weather and a good wind. Do you not feel 
more thankful for your own deliverance from such 
a gale, than to be mourning the loss of a rotten 
hulk like the ‘Essex’?” 

“That I do, sir,” replied Drake, solemnly. 
“But I’ve commanded the ‘Essex’ for such a long 
time, and have passed so many pleasant voyages 
upon her decks, that she has become a part of 
my soul, and I can’t help but feel aggrieved by 
the thought that she may have been lost in the 
tempest.” 

“I understand your feelings, Drake, and beg 
of you to indulge your thoughts on this matter 
for a moment longer, then come with me to my 
quarters and soothe your mind with a charge of 
rum. ’ ’ 

Both men stood at the “Juana’s” rail, and 
for a moment they gazed silently in that direction 
in which the great storm had swept the sea. Pres¬ 
ently, they turned and retired into Burling’s 
private quarters. They were joined there by 
Strang, Cecille and Alice Hull, and Burling’s two 
servants, Molbech and Terese. 

Becoming his talents, and as a man of God, 
Strang offered a prayer of thanks for their de¬ 
liverance from the tempest. Silence and close at- 


PETER BURLING, PIRATE 


61 


tention were accorded his fervent supplications. 
Burling stood, motionless as a statue, and listen¬ 
ed, attentively as a child, while others of his com¬ 
panions bowed or knelt themselves down. When 
the prayer was finished, Strang rose to his feet 
and solemnly addressed the small group that was 
gathered about him. 

“My good friends, a great storm has passed 
on, and no doubt many souls have gone with it. 
If you have friends, relatives, loved ones, ship¬ 
mates or others that may have been brought to 
grief by the tempest, you have hut to name them 
to me and I shall gladly give my service in asking 
that Divine mercy he accorded to those that have 
been lost or may he in distress. Speak up, Master 
Drake, and let me render my service in the fur¬ 
therance of your fondest hope.” 

“Very well, my good man,” said. Captain 
Drake, “I ask to be favored with the privilege of 
looking once more upon the ‘Essex,’ even if she 
he a derelict. ’ ’ 

“It shall he asked, sir,” replied Strang, who 
next addressed the Misses Hull. 

“Speak thy request, Alice, and thou likewise, 
Cecille.” 

“You may pray for Danny Baldrige, my good 
sir, as I shall do also, and ask that God’s protec¬ 
tion he with him now, and at all times,” said Alice, 
in a tremulous voice. 

“And for the safety of Major Billingsly, also,” 
followed in turn the voice of Cecille Hull. 

“And for you, Terese, what favor shall I ask?” 
said Strang turning to Burling’s maid servant. 

“That I may be pleasing to my good master, 
Captain Burling, and that rich treasure and good 
fortune come to him always,” replied Terese, as 


62 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

she smiled and bowed low with the grace and 
beauty of a goddess. 

“And you, MolbechT’ continued Strang. 

“That no harm shall come to Captain Burling, 
or this ship, or the treasure which she holds / 1 
replied Molbech, in the same tone of fidelity to 
his master as that which had been expressed by 
Terese. 

“Master Burling, you have heard the requests 
of those among us, what then shall it be for you 
that I may ask divine assistance V 9 

“That I have fared well, always, is a circum¬ 
stance that must be considered, sir,” answered 
Burling. 4 4 A good ship, rare treasure, and a gen¬ 
erous bounty are all mine. Faithful servants and 
fearless seamen have I also. I am possessed of 
a healthy body and a clean mind, and carry no 
burden upon my conscience. Although I am a 
bastard, begotten illicitly upon the sea, I have 
never transgressed the code of moral ethics. IVe 
known no woman intimately, although some have 
thrown themselves upon me. To defend their 
virtue and preserve my own chastity, are words 
that were spoken to me with the last dying breath 
of the harlot that gave me birth. IVe honestly 
followed the text of my pledge to her. Good for¬ 
tune is mine in every way, and I am contented 
with my lot. Would it not appear ungrateful of 
me to seek further favor, when I am already pro¬ 
visioned with the luxuries that any king might 
boast ? ’ 9 

4 4 Forget not, that you have sent forth a goodly 
number of your men upon a craft that was in no 
condition to weather such a gale as that which 
has so lately passed. Those men may be lost or 


PETER BURLING, PIRATE 63 

in distress. Can your mind be less burdened by 
knowing this?” questioned Strang. 

“None the less, sir,” answered Burling, “those 
men have gone forth with the understanding that 
death is a common hazard, just the same as 
scurvy, or yellow fever, or small-pox. Pedersen 
was their leader, and my faith in him as a good 
fighter and master seaman is unshaken. Aye— 
my good mate Pedersen—man of rare gifts as a 
mariner—master of the sea—in distress?—nay— 
yes, too,—the ‘Essex’ was a rotten hulk according 
to Drake—and the storm was uncommon. Aye, 
Mister Strang, it may be well after all, to recite 
a prayer for Pedersen. Somewhere on those 
storm-tossed waters he may be drifting. Ask it, 
sir, that a divine hand be also at the ‘Juana’s’ 
helm to guide her into the right quarter, and lay 
her course with that part of the wind which will 
lead us to the rescue of Pedersen, if he be in dis¬ 
tress. Come, Master Drake, we must lay more 
canvas to the wind.” So saying, Burling made 
his way to the open deck, followed by Drake, and 
the two busied themselves for a time in making 
a technical adjustment of the sails which sent the 
“Juana” forward in a new burst of speed. 

Fair skies and a balmy wind made pleasant 
sailing. Excepting those whose duties required 
them to be elsewhere, the “Juana’s” mixed com¬ 
pany gathered themselves in small groups on the 
open deck. Contests in feats of strength and 
cutlass fencing were indulged in by some of the 
men. A noisy disturbance arose on the after deck 
where a knot of seamen were gambling at crib- 
bage. It was promptly quelled by Burling, who 
threatened to place the participants in irons, with 
“no ration of rum.” 


64 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

As became their age and sex, Alice and Terese 
were often found much in each other’s company, 
and a warm friendship sprang up between them. 
They found mutual enjoyment by standing at the 
“Juana’s” rail watching the flying fish skip along 
the waves, or walking arm in arm about the ship, 
discussing in their own way, the subjects that best 
suited their girlish fancies. 

Rare beauty of two distinct types were repre¬ 
sented in these two young women, and many were 
the stolen glances that were cast their way by 
lustful-appearing men of the pirate skipper’s 
crew. But there was no uncomely act, or word, 
due perhaps to the iron-handed discipline main¬ 
tained by Burling. 

Cecille Hull held herself aloof to all except her 
original companions. The very thought of being 
aboard a pirate ship drove her into a state of 
uncommunicative reserve, and except to occasion¬ 
ally question Strang or Drake, her brief periods 
of speech were confined principally to her niece, 
Alice, in the way of gentle reprimand for the lat¬ 
ter’s imaginary boldness in strolling about the 
ship with the dark-eyed Terese. 

However, the elderly Cecille derived a certain 
degree of comfort from the reassuring words of 
Strang, that “all would be well in the end,” but 
she placed her own well-being secondary to that 
of her fiance, Major Billingsly, and perhaps also 
to that of her niece, Alice. 

When time dragged heavily upon the ship, a 
ration of rum was passed to all who cared to 
partake of it, and as a daily custom, Burling 
would summon Terese and Molbeeh, with harp 
and ’cello, to furnish enlivening music; while 
Lucretia, the Carib wife of a pirate seaman, per- 


PETER BURLING, PIRATE 65 

formed gracefully in grotesque dances, to all of 
which was accorded much applause, and not in¬ 
frequently gold coins were tossed upon the deck 
at the feet of the entertainers. Alice Hull derived 
much pleasure and amusement from these diver¬ 
sions, but her aunt, Cecille, was shocked, while 
Strang looked on with interest and amazement. 

On and on, and ever onward, the days that 
passed were seasoned with a rare mellow atmos¬ 
phere, and the 4 ‘Juana’’ performed with the 
grace of a water nymph. 

Alice and Terese came more into each other’s 
company and as their acquaintance grew, a trust¬ 
ing girlish friendship grew also. Cherished aims 
and secrets were revealed to each other in their 
own youthful feminine way. And so it was with 
an attentive ear that Terese heard Alice bespeak 
so well the exquisite traits of her handsome lover, 
Dan Baldrige. 

And with none the less interest did Alice lis¬ 
ten to Terese, who also unfolded the story of her 
love for Peter Burling. Prom the first meeting 
with Burling, the circumstance of her being 
aboard his ship, and many other incidents were 
related at length by Terese. Her emotions as 
well as her speech were emphasized by smile and 
gesture, as she eloquently praised the superior 
qualities of the pirate skipper. 

“From my uncle’s estate in Havana, I came 
down to the harbor one day, to watch the ships 
come and go,” related Terese. “The ‘Juana’ 
was lying there, neat and pretty, and Master 
Burling was just going aboard. I asked his per¬ 
mission to see the ship over, and he took me 
aboard. Within his quarters I saw the great harp 
which you have heard me play, and I applied my 


66 PETEE BUELING, PIEATE 

talents upon it. He was much pleased, and when 
I had finished, he gave me this bejeweled cross. ” 
Here Terese affectionately touched her hand 
upon a small ebony cross, nicely inlaid with bril¬ 
liant gems, which she wore. ‘ ‘ His manner was 
so unlike other men,’ ’ she continued; ‘ ‘ there was 
no lust in his voice, and his whole demeanor be¬ 
spoke well of his chastity. He was big and strong, 
and grand to look upon. At my uncle’s house 
that night I couldn’t sleep. My thoughts were 
upon this wonderful man that I had met. So on 
the following day I took myself to the harbor 
again. The ‘Juana’ was being made ready for 
an immediate departure. I went aboard and se¬ 
creted myself among the ship’s stores. There I 
remained until the vessel was well at sea. It was 
evening. I slipped quietly into Captain Burling’s 
quarters. He was busily engaged with his sea 
charts, and my entrance was unobserved. I took 
up a position behind him near the great harp. I 
planned to surprise him with my presence, and 
when he seemed deepest engrossed with his maps, 
I touched gently upon the strings of the harp. To 
my surprise he didn’t turn his head as I expected 
him to do. Neither did he look up from his charts, 
or even move a muscle. Presently, he put the 
maps aside and rested his chin upon his hand 
with an elbow upon the table, in a deep study. 
Then I heard him speak to himself in a low but 
audible tone, these words: ‘Lefevre you shall die 
for this. ’ I touched the strings of the harp again 
and began the rendition of a sacred piece. He 
still sat motionless. When I had finished, he 
spoke my name. ‘Terese,’ he said, ‘do you know 
that you are aboard a pirate ship ? ’ 

“I was surprised at his words but managed to 


PETER BURLING, PIRATE 67 

reply: ‘It matters not, sir, I shall always feel 
safe when I am near you. ’ Whereupon he turned 
to face me with an honest smile. 

“ ‘Do you understand, Terese,’ said he, ‘that 
by coming aboard this ship you have unknowingly 
made yourself a pretty prize, to be much sought 
after by carnal-minded men? That if I would 
permit it your body would be auctioned to the 
highest bid?’ 

“Then replied I: ‘In that case, sir, your gold 
and treasure will give you the advantage of the 
last and deciding bid. Besides, if I had remained 
ashore at my uncle’s house, I would have been a 
prize there also, with none but degenerate nobles 
to do the bidding. Am I less fortunate then, sir, 
by being aboard your ship?’ 

“ ‘None the less fortunate, Terese,’ said Cap¬ 
tain Burling, ‘so long as you may remain aboard 
the ‘Juana,’ you shall be master of yourself, to 
choose the bidders and do your own selling.’ 

‘ ‘ ‘ Then do I begin the auction at once, ’ replied 
I. ‘I proffer to you, sir, an intense love, a love 
which I’ve never felt before. Behold my youth¬ 
ful beauty. The buds of my girlish age have late¬ 
ly placed the full bloom of womanhood upon my 
cheeks and lips. My mind has not dwelt upon 
thoughts that were unclean. My body is healthy 
and nicely contoured, and still retains its virgin¬ 
ity. What is your bid, sir, for all these?’ 

“ ‘You are but a child, Terese,’ answered he, 
‘and possess many charms. Your beauty is good 
to look upon, and your music is pleasing to my 
ears. But I am not dealing in women at this time. 
I neither buy or sell. Nor do I seek to despoil 
them. If I were to bid for all that you have of¬ 
fered me, I would set the price beyond the reach 


68 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

of kings. I would give this ship and all that she 
holds, and if necessary stake my life for a rare 
prize like you. But I am not bidding now. .My 
thoughts are more concerned about a traitor 
named Lefevre. Here, Terese, take this key and 
go to the third door on your right. There you 
shall find your quarters . 9 

‘‘ When I took the key, I kissed his hand and 
bade him goodnight—” 

Terese’s narrative was interrupted at this 
point by the near approach of Burling. He bowed 
with courtesy to the two young women and passed 
on to another quarter of the ship. Alice HulPs 
eyes followed him. She gazed long and intently, 
finally dropping her eyes toward the deck, in a 
deep meditative mood. 

‘ i How much would Danny Baldrige bid for 
you, Alice V 9 asked Terese. 

A heavy choking emotion took possession of 
Alice, and a flood of tears was her silent answer. 


IX 

Pedersen Rescued 

A loud shouting of voices arose on the forward 
decks. The “ Juana's” lookout had discovered a 
derelict floating directly in her path. Hurried or¬ 
ders roared from the throats of heavy-chested 
men. A quick shifting of sails and the helm was 
brought down hard. The ‘‘ Juana’' careened 
heavily, and in another moment swung past the 
battered hulk of the “Essex.’' 

Hurried glances were cast upon the wrecked 
vessel as she buried herself low in the water with 
each successive wave. Her masts were gone and 
the upper deck generally was swept clean. She 
was soon lost to view, and there was much specu¬ 
lative comment concerning her. The mute evi¬ 
dence of her battered hulk gave rise to the com¬ 
mon opinion of all, that there had been no sur¬ 
vivors. But the manner and conjectured inci¬ 
dents preceding the “Essex's” destruction was 
a matter that drew forth a lengthy discussion be¬ 
tween Drake and Burling. 

“Has not my prediction been verified, Master 
Burling, that the 4 Essex' was in no condition to 
weather the storm?” said Drake. 

“Could you expect any ship to ride out a storm 
with no one aboard to maneuver her helm or 
sails?” returned Burling. 

“By inference you mean that—?” 

“That the 1 Essex' was deserted before the 
storm came,” replied Burling. 

69 


70 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

A look of surprise and wonder came over 
Drake’s countenance. 

“The 4 Essex’ deserted before the storm came” 
I don’t understand the full meaning of your as¬ 
sertion, sir.” 

“She has been engaged with one of your Eng¬ 
lish men-o-war, and has fared badly in the en¬ 
counter. ’Twas clumsy work for a King’s naval 
crew to be destroying one of his ships in the tak¬ 
ing of a handful of men,” replied Burling. 

“I saw nothing about her that would indicate 
anything other than the violence with which the 
gale had struck,” returned Drake. 

“Aye, Master Drake, you’ll remember well 
that just a short while ago you requested the 
clergyman Strang to pray that you might be ac¬ 
corded the privilege of looking once more upon 
your beloved ‘Essex,’ even if she be a derelict. 
You’ve been granted that favor; thanks be to 
whatever source whence it came. Now, me thinks 
that whilst viewing for the last time the remnants 
of a craft that was once your pride, reflections of 
the bygone past may have caused a mist to come 
before your sight, and your eyes became dim to 
the objects that were yet there to tell the silent 
story of conflict that has been staged upon her. 
Had your observation been attended with less 
sentiment and emotion, you would have noted that 
when the ship balanced herself on the waves, her 
stern was brought above the surface, and water 
poured from a rent that has been caused by a 
low-placed shot from a howitzer. Her binnacle 
has been raked by the same kind of cannon.” 

“Does this prove that the ‘Essex’ was beset by 
an English naval vessel?” interjected Drake. 


PEDERSEN RESCUED 


71 


“Have the French and Spanish ceased to prey 
upon weak merchantmen ?” 

“Nay, Master Drake, hut the head-dress of an 
English ensign lay upon the ‘Essex’s’ for’ard 
deck. It is pinned fast to the deck by a broken 
cutlass blade which has been thrust through it in 
a hand-to-hand encounter. No doubt its owner 
may bear a bad scalp wound. ’’ 

That Burling had noticed the objects which re¬ 
vealed the tragic events in connection with the 
“ Essex ’s’ ’ destruction, was a further surprise 
to Drake. The shrewd manner in which the pi¬ 
rate captain had deduced accurately much of 
what had actually taken place, served to strength¬ 
en the common belief that his great physical 
powers were well matched in a mental capacity 
also. 

“What has Fate held in store for the men you 
sent forth upon the ‘Essex’?” asked Drake. 
“May they not be captives of the English naval 
crew ? ’ ’ 

“The condition of the ‘Essex’ has told the 
whole story,” replied Burling. “Those men have 
gone to the sharks. Their creed doesn’t permit 
them to be made prisoners, but to accept death in¬ 
stead—to stand and fight until the last man has 
fallen, until their brains and muscles have ceased 
to function, yea, even to the last heartbeat, and 
the last breath. ’ ’ 

“Then you have scant hope in the prayers of 
our divine friend, Strang, for the rescue of Ped¬ 
ersen?” asked Drake. 

“I will not say that I’ve lost all hope in the 
matter,” returned Burling. “Great miracles 
have been wrought upon the sea. And hasn’t 
Strang also urged me to have faith? And I hold 


72 


PETER BURLING, PIRATE 


faith—much faith—in Pedersen. He was an un¬ 
common man in many ways, but above all, he was 
a master of the sea. IVe known him to go into 
the water with a knife and rescue a wounded mate 
from the sharks. Can your English King boast 
of such a man in all his naval forces? With no 
weapon, have I known him also to bare his breast 
and challenge an antagonist to make the first 
thrust with a cutlass, and saw him crush the vaga¬ 
bond with his bare hands. Thrice has he risked 
his own life to prevent my being treacherously 
slain. The great scar that he carries upon his 
breast, was caused by a dagger thrust aimed at 
my back by an assassin’s hand. He has been my 
strong right arm in the acquiring and equipping 
of a super-ship, well provisioned and holding a 
rare bounty in rich treasure. Aye, Master Drake, 
if you feel deeply grieved by the destruction of a 
rotten hulk like the ‘Essex,’ what then would you 
calculate my own feelings to be, in the loss of a 
mate like Pedersen?” 

“The loss of such a friend is enough indeed to 
cast a heavy burden upon any man’s soul,” an¬ 
swered Drake. “But I repeat again, is there yet 
no hope in the words of our divine friend, 
Strang?” 

“Time alone, sir, shall answer that,” answered 
Burling and he went his way about the ship. 

As became a man of religious zeal, Strang was 
ever ready to exercise his theology in advancing 
the principle of good will to men. He felt his 
way slowly at first, in order that there should be 
no feeling of discord or cross purpose between 
himself and Burling. While the latter was not in 
full agreement with Strang on questions of a re¬ 
ligious nature, he, however, placed no restraints 


PEDERSEN RESCUED 73 

upon the free exercise of divine worship aboard 
the ship. 

So it was not infrequently then, that Strang 
would muster as many as he could of the 
“Juana’s” company together, and exhort them to 
discern good from evil. It was on an occasion of 
this kind one day, that the ship’s lookout picked 
up the outline of a small boat, tossing aimlessly 
among the waves. Strang’s discourse was im¬ 
mediately interrupted by the vociferous orders 
that followed the lookout’s cry from aloft: 

4 ‘ A small boat to leeward, sir! ” 

The “Juana” hove to, and after a time ma¬ 
neuvered to a position that brought the light craft 
alongside. Drifting closer, the body of a power¬ 
ful man was disclosed, half naked, lying face 
downward in the bottom of the dory. His long 
right arm was twisted downward across the back. 
The calf and ankle of a lower limb were bent up¬ 
ward from the knee, and an iron fetter connected 
them with the down-twisted arm. 

A hundred men gazed downward at the awe¬ 
inspiring sight. A hundred voices became silent. 
A giant shark darted eagerly about the small boat, 
and the silence became intense. 

“Pedersen!” 

The voice of Peter Burling came like a thunder¬ 
bolt to break the stillness. In the fraction of an¬ 
other moment he was on the outer edge of the 
“Juana’s” rail, knife in hand, poised like a great 
cat, gauging the distance of the leap. Then a 
dexterous hurtling of his body downward, and a 
splash! A heavy thrust of the knife, and the 
shark careened on its back! Stringy entrails 
hung from a gaping wound in the great white 


74 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

belly of the disemboweled fish, as it zig-zagged 
about in a dance of death! 

In the twinkling of an eye, Burling swung him¬ 
self into the small boat where lay the prostrate 
form of Pedersen. A rope was passed over the 
ship’s side. It was caught by Burling’s nimble 
hands and quickly made fast at either end of the 
dory. In another moment the small boat contain¬ 
ing the two men was being drawn upward in one 
of the “Juana’s” davits. 

When the light craft rested safely upon the 
deck, a great cheer went up. The pirate skipper’s 
hazardous feat had been performed in the short 
space of a minute’s time. 

Burling made a quick survey of Pedersen’s 
condition. He touched a finger to the stricken 
mate’s pulse, and took note of the condition of 
the man’s eyes, which were swollen shut. 

It could be readily seen that Pedersen was in 
a critical condition. He was in a state of coma, 
and his great muscle-knotted body lay stiff and 
numb. His tongue was swollen and he made no 
utterance. The only outward indication that the 
body yet retained life, was the rise and fall of his 
heavy chest in labored breathing. 

Energetic measures were resorted to in admin¬ 
istering to him. The shackles were removed 
from wrist and ankle, but the muscles failed to 
adjust themselves. The lower limb retained its 
bent position, and the arm lay stiffly downward 
across the back, in the same position in which 
those members had been shackled. He was moved 
into Burling’s private quarters, there to remain 
until such time as he might recover sufficiently to 
relate the circumstances by which such deadly tor¬ 
ture had been imposed. 


X 


Baedrige Reports to Billingsly 

After setting Pedersen adrift, Baldrige fought 
his way through the storm and laid the “Ar- 
gyle’s” course toward the shore again. He forth¬ 
with took himself to Billingsly’s quarters. Then 
followed a lengthy conference between the two 
English officers. 

“Well, my good friend Baldrige, ,, began Bil- 
lingsly, “have you come to report that the pirate 
Pedersen has been executed in the prescribed 
manner ?” 

“That I have, sir,” replied Baldrige. “He 
has been beaten upon the body with twenty 
strokes of the sabre, shackled and cast adrift.” 

“Good. Very good, Baldrige, he deserved the 
punishment. In order to break up the menace of 
piracy, we must resort to extraordinary measures. 
From now henceforth, every pirate captive that 
comes before me shall be made to suffer all the 
pain and agony that can be exacted from his body. 
I shall wreak vengeance enough to chill the heart 
of a savage. We must use stern measures, Bal¬ 
drige. There must be more pirates set adrift in 
small boats. It will be a lesson for Peter Burling 
to someday find one of his men drifting in this 
manner upon the sea. ’ ’ 

“Nay, Major, I don’t agree with you upon that 
point,” responded the younger officer. “You 
must remember, sir, that Peter Burling holds 
some English captives aboard his ship. Not 


76 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

among the least of these are the two gentle wom¬ 
en—Alice and Cecille Hull. What then do you 
calculate Burling’s attitude will be toward these 
women, should he perchance find Pedersen’s mal¬ 
treated body drifting about upon the sea? Will 
his evil mind be soothed by such a circumstance?” 

“ ’Twould not alter the case in any way, Bal- 
drige. Peter Burling has no heart to be softened. 
He is a hard-souled devil, and must be dealt with 
in a hard-souled manner. As regards the women 
—well, Baldrige, you know it is reported that 
Burling maintains a harem aboard his ship. A 
full understanding of which means, of course, that 
the pirate captain has exacted the heaviest toll 
that a woman can pay—her virtue. We’ve been 
robbed of that which can never be replaced. Fate 
has been ungrateful to us. We have each been 
cheated out of the most sought after prize that 
ever dangled before the eyes of men—a chaste 
woman, that which has brought comfort to our 
thoughts in lonely hours. A prize that we in 
honor sought—and in honor were about to claim 
—has been taken from us while yet almost within 
our grasp. Aye, Baldrige, the manner in which 
these women have been lost to us is the thing that 
hurts. If they had been won over by the amours 
of honorable men, the wound would be less deep. 
But as it is, a dagger’s thrust would be less pain¬ 
ful. The venom of a rattler’s fang would have 
sickened me less than this cup of bitterness. This 
is the strongest blow that I’ve ever been forced to 
take. My soul is being seared by it. I could ac¬ 
cept defeat at the hands of the Frenchers with 
some manner of grace, but adjust my feelings to 
the decree that Fate has handed down to us con¬ 
cerning those gentle women, I cannot. My sleep 


BALDRIGE REPORTS TO BILLINGSLY 77 

is broken by this ghastly nightmare, and I’ve en¬ 
deavored to soothe my mind with liquor, but it 
serves only to shatter my nerves. Aye, Baldrige, 
can your mind conceive of anything more depress¬ 
ing to the soul than the thought that the woman 
you love is being forced to allay the passions of 
lascivious men like Peter Burling! Speak, man, 
I am being driven to madness. If you can offer 
me no word of encouragement, I shall run upon 
my sword.” Billingsly’s words were followed in 
action by the unsheathing of the weapon. 

“Stop!” commanded Baldrige, in a firm tone, 
at the same time stepping closer to the more eld¬ 
erly officer. “Sheathe the sword and compose 
yourself, sir. Let us counsel together as rational 
servants of our King. Does it become an officer 
of your age and rank to behave so rashly in the 
presence of one with less experience, like myself? 
You, Major, who have won distinction upon many 
fields of battle, should never surrender to an 
enemy because he has broken through the defenses 
of the heart. Can’t you control your patience 
until such time as we may be able to strike Peter 
Burling with this very sword that you would run 
yourself upon ? Lend the weight of your military 
strategy to my own endeavors upon the sea. Aye, 
Major, I ask you to share with me the hope that 
some day those fair women will be returned to us. 
Then, and the time may not be far distant after 
all, we can take them unto ourselves in a happy 
state of matrimony.” 

“Happy state of matrimony?” sneered Bil- 
lingsly with an arched brow. “Does the tongue 
speak the true sentiment of the mind and heart 
when you allude to matrimony? Would you will- 


78 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

ingly take a woman into wedlock knowing that 
she had been despoiled by the vilest of men?” 

“It will be time enough to answer that ques¬ 
tion, sir, when we are quite sure that they have 
been despoiled,” answered Baldrige. 

“On what grounds can you hope otherwise?” 
asked Billingsly. 

“Well,” returned Baldrige, meditatively, “is 
there not Strang, and Captain Drake with a 
goodly number of his men aboard the pirate craft? 
Would it not become true Englishmen to defend 
an Englishwoman’s honor?” 

‘* They would be swept aside and thrown to the 
sharks by Burling’s superior numbers,” answer¬ 
ed Billingsly. 

“Then perhaps Cecille and Alice Hull would 
throw themselves into the sea also,” commented 
Baldrige further. 

“’Twould be better that they should, under 
such circumstances,” returned Billingsly. 

Baldrige’s attitude toward the elderly Major 
Billingsly was that of assumed encouragement 
and hope. He had come to the senior officer’s 
quarters with the full expectation that the Major 
would have some well formulated plan to offer in 
rescuing the two women from Peter Burling. 

He was surprised and disappointed to find 
Billingsly in such a highly agitated state of mind. 
Becoming cognizant of the latter’s nervous con¬ 
dition, Baldrige shifted to a new tack, and with 
a certain measure of success, sought to allay much 
of the apprehension that was felt concerning the 
two women. 

But Billingsly would not let himself be led alto¬ 
gether away from the subject that was causing 
him so much mental agony. Cecille Hull was the 


BALDRIGE REPORTS TO BILLINGSLY 79 


guiding star by which he had hoped to be led 
from the path of celibacy that he had trodden so 
long. So it was with many assurances he did not 
inwardly feel, that Baldrige skilfully drew the 
Major into a rational discussion of the means to 
be taken in effecting a rescue of the two women. 

“ We have made a mistake, Major, by setting 
Pedersen adrift,” resumed the young naval offi¬ 
cer. “We should have held him as a prisoner, 
and as such, offered him in exchange for the two 
women .’ 1 

“ ’Tis not likely that Burling would give up 
two such beautiful women as Cecille and Alice 
Hull in exchange for a worthless vagabond like 
Pedersen,” returned the Major. 

“On that point we are not certain, sir. Peder¬ 
sen may hold a place of high esteem in the pirate 
skipper’s mind. That being the case, the ex¬ 
change of two for one might have been a possi¬ 
bility. Just the same as you would give the 
Frencher, Jourdain, a half dozen of his men back 
in exchange for your own Sergeant Haynes.” 

“That I would, Baldrige, and gladly, too, but 
Pedersen has gone, and with him also has gone 
the chance of such an exchange. Have you other 
plans to offer?” Billingsly’s manner became more 
composed, and the emotions that had so lately un¬ 
strung him were giving way to calmer deduc¬ 
tions. 

“Why, I suggest, sir, that we offer Peter Bur¬ 
ling a neat sum of gold as ransom for the two 
women,” answered Baldrige. “The word has 
come to me that the pirate chieftain has a weak¬ 
ness for gold—a trait that may be common among 
many of us, and his love for its glitter is uncom¬ 
monly strong. It is the yellow idol which he wor- 


80 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

ships, and it may serve as an attractive lure in 
drawing him into terms of barter for the release 
of the two gentle women.’’ 

“But where is the gold to come from of which 
you speak? Is the pay of a Bang’s officer such as 
to cause his pockets to bag by the weight of it?” 
asked the Major. 

“Have we not a goodly measure of the yellow 
metal that has been exacted from the Frenchman, 
Jourdain? It is of little concern to Peter Burling 
whether the coin is of French or English design, 
just so long as it is gold,” answered Baldrige. 

“Aye, Baldrige, the French coin that we hold 
is the property of our King. To use it in further¬ 
ing our own enterprise would be treasonable.” 

4 4 Perhaps the King would indorse our action in 
using it in advancing a plan to free the two wom¬ 
en that we love. Besides, is it not I who have 
collected much of this gold from the French upon 
the sea, as well as yourself upon the land ? Should 
we be denied a voice in saying to what purpose it 
should be used?” 

“You seem to forget, Baldrige, that your first 
duty is to your King. You are his paid servant. 
Cecille and Alice are his subjects. You are being 
paid to protect them by the might of arms. The 
use of gold in baiting a pirate to terms must not 
enter into the bargain.” In Billingsly’s tone 
there was a certain element of kind rebuke which 
the young naval officer did not fail to catch, al¬ 
though he gave no outward sign of disrespect for 
the Major’s words. However, Baldrige was not 
deterred from speaking further on the matter. 

“Let me remind you, sir, that his Majesty has 
offered the handsome bounty of five thousand 
pounds for Peter Burling’s head. What difference 
or harm would it be then, if we should proceed in 


BALDRIGE REPORTS TO BILLINGSLY 81 


a like manner, and by the use of some French 
gold, defeat Peter Burling in his evil designs upon 
the two fair women?” 

“The difference is this,” answered Billingsly, 
“the King has the authority to do the things 
which his subjects and servants are not permitted 
to do. It is a matter of authority alone, and the 
King’s right should not be questioned.” 

‘ ‘ What of the gold that was paid to the inform¬ 
er, Lefevre?” questioned Baldrige, curtly. 

“ ’Twas used to some advantage, and was spent 
in accordance with his Majesty’s plan of conquest 
against the Frenchers,” replied Billingsly, no 
less curtly. 

“The King is willing then, to expend a consid¬ 
erable sum of gold on a scheme of conquest, but 
at the same time he has no gold to offer in succor¬ 
ing two innocent women, and they his own sub¬ 
jects,” said Baldrige, pointedly. 

“I repeat, that the King’s right or wisdom 
must not be brought under discussion. We’ve 
but one way to proceed, and that is the King’s 
way, by force of arms. Your vocation is by the 
sea, there also is your enemy, and mine. Hark, 
Baldrige, was that the voice of Alice calling your 
name? or are my nerves playing me tricks again? 
Go forth, young man, and strike hard. And re¬ 
member that success will mean future happiness 
for you, and for me more life.” 

No further word was spoken by either of the 
two men. A silent salute was the signal that their 
conference had ended, and Baldrige went his way 
once more upon the sea, while Billingsly turned 
again to the seclusion of his own private quar¬ 
ters. There to rehearse over and over again in 
his mind the cruel circumstances by which Ce- 
cille Hull had been taken from him. 


82 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

Dark shadows flitted through Billingsly’s 
wearied intellect, and the weight of a melancholy 
spirit bore heavily upon him. Other circum¬ 
stances served to drive him into a further de¬ 
pressed mood. A hostile force of French and In¬ 
dians were harassing his outposts and driving 
them back closer to the main defenses; a circum¬ 
stance that was causing him less concern, per¬ 
haps, than his affair of love and matrimony. Be¬ 
cause Billingsly was a soldier of the old school, 
and by long years of service had acquired a rare 
skill in military strategy which would enable him 
to deal with the French and Indians at such a 
time and in a manner that best suited his pur¬ 
pose. The enemy was close at hand and could be 
struck at any time. 

But an even greater foe to him for the time was 
Peter Burling. He could not be struck so easily. 
A wide expanse of water served as an immense 
barrier. The pirate was possessed of a fast ship, 
and was none the less cunning by the sea than 
Billingsly by land. It was, therefore, necessary 
for Major Billingsly to stake his final hope—if 
hope he yet retained in regard to the two women 
—in the efforts of the gallant young naval officer, 
Baldrige. 

Baldrige equipped and provisioned the English 
naval ship 16 Argyle ’ ’ for a long cruise. Recruited 
to full strength with men, ammunition and guns, 
he voyaged forth again, determined and grim, in 
an effort to intercept the pirate skipper. It was 
his duty, his paid duty, as Billingsly might say, 
to set out once more to render service to his King, 
on an errand of conquest, and to salvage if possi¬ 
ble two feminine hearts that were drifting— 
where, he knew not. 


XI 


Pedersen Tells of Billingsly’s Cruelty 

As time passed aboard the “Juana,” so also 
did Pedersen gain more and more strength, slowly 
at first, but more rapid as the days went by. The 
deadly torture that had been imposed was all but 
fatal to him. Billingsly had meant such a pun¬ 
ishment to end in death—slow lingering death; 
and there was no doubt in his or Baldrige’s mind 
that such had been Pedersen’s fate. 

They reasoned quite logically that the pirate 
mate had perished in the storm. But men’s judg¬ 
ments in such things are sometimes at fault. Ped¬ 
ersen possessed the vitality and courage of a 
giant. He was not unlike his pirate captain, 
Burling, in matters pertaining to the sea, a 
master mariner. Like Burling he was also gifted 
with a cunning mind, and as between the two in 
brain and brawn, they could be likened unto su¬ 
per-men. Men of a bygone age—sinewy, virile, 
men who could, if the emergency demanded it, 
gird their loins in animal skins and with the aid 
of a stone axe delve into the forest and make their 
own way, or compete with the beasts of the jungle 
in gaining sustenance. It was with men of this 
caliber that Billingsly and Baldrige must deal. 
It was with men like these, with fine physique 
and not uncomely looks, that Cecille and Alice 
Hull must also deal. 

Pedersen lacked for nothing in the way of 
sympathy and kind treatment at the hands of 


84 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

those who assisted in nursing him back to 
strength. Molbech, who had some knowledge of 
medicine, was in almost constant attendance, 
while the dark-eyed Terese was ever close by to 
administer to his slightest wants. Strang, and 
Alice Hull made frequent visits to the stricken 
mate. A fine sentiment of the humane spirit that 
, dwelt within her was shown also by Cecille Hull. 

Her sympathy for a fellow creature in suffer¬ 
ing was manifested by the many visits paid, to 
Pedersen’s bedside. Many were the consoling 
words that fell from her lips to comfort him. She 
took it upon herself as a duty to go on each morn¬ 
ing and evening to the stricken mate’s side, upon 
her errand of tender mercy. It was the spirit 
that had been born in a manger some seventeen 
hundred years before, and in accordance with 
Strang’s doctrine of good will toward men. 

Then came a day that Cecille was seated at his 
bedside alone, when Pedersen first aroused from 
the state of coma in which he had lain. His lips 
began to mbve in a faint whisper. She laid a gen¬ 
tle hand upon the fevered brow and listened in¬ 
tently to catch his feeble utterance. As her hand 
touched his forehead, Pedersen seemed to waken 
more from his silent slumber. His fine blue eyes 
caught the figure of the woman at his side. He 
became aware that her hand was pressing gently 
upon his brow and he was more alert. 

“What was it, sir? Were you trying to 
speak?” inquired Cecille, in a gentle tone.. 

“Aye, good lady, your caress is not unlike the 
same that was bestowed upon me by my mother 
as her dying blessing, when I was but a lad kneel¬ 
ing at her bedside. And your voice is much the 
same as hers that I heard in the fury of the storm. 


BILLINGSLY’S CRUELTY 


85 


I almost believe that it is she who is now by my 
side. Has the gale passed! Aye—does the roll of 
the waves feel the same as if I were aboard the 
‘Juana’ herself! What! Was not that the voice 
of Cap Burling, ordering more canvas to the 
wind! Do I hear Terese with her gentle music! 
Water—water—aye—I should have known—the 
canteen has been empty for many a long day—if 
I could slake my thirst—methinks I could break 
the shackle—” 

Pedersen stretched his great body as if strain¬ 
ing against the iron fetter that had held his limbs. 
His speech came in the broken sentences of de¬ 
lirium. The great physical and intellectual 
powers were again becoming active. The slum¬ 
bering giant was awakening from a hideous 
nightmare. 

The alert Terese had observed the change in 
the stricken mate’s condition, and with that same 
alertness she was out upon the deck, grasping 
Peter Burling’s hand in both her own, tugging 
and pulling him toward the door of his own quar¬ 
ters. 

“Come, sir, quick!” she exclaimed in excited 
tones, “the great Pedersen is awakening from his 
long sleep.” And partly amused by Terese’s ex¬ 
cited actions, Burling permitted himself to be led 
to the bedside of his courageous mate. 

Others came also, among them Strang, Drake 
and Alice Hull. Knots of hardened seamen lin¬ 
gered near the doorway, silently, all interested to 
learn in^detail from Pedersen’s own lips, of the 
manner and by whom he had been so barbarously 
dealt with; to listen once more to the voice that 
had been stilled for a time by the inhuman mach- 


86 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

inations of a paid servant of an English King. 
After touching Pedersen’s pulse, Burling said: 

“Aye, Pedersen, you’ve been in a bad way. 
Your pulse is yet rapid, but the beat is strong. 
Be calm, man, and let me assure you that you are 
not dreaming. You are aboard the good ship 
‘Juana,’ and it is I, Peter Burling in the flesh 
who is addressing you. It is I who sent you forth 
upon the ‘Essex,’ and you came back to me in a 
small open boat. As yet you have made no re¬ 
port, and it is now well nigh on to the seventh day 
since you were lifted aboard. ’ ’ 

A look of satisfaction came over Pedersen’s 
countenance. The light of intelligence shone once 
more in his fine blue eyes, and his lips formed into 
a faint smile. He groped about the coverlet until 
his hand came into contact with that of his pirate 
chief, who took it in his own grasp, in the manner 
of strong men, and held it like a clasp of steel 
while Pedersen told his story: 

“Aye, sir, the hand of Fate has been more kind 
in placing me aboard the ‘Juana,’ than that of the 
English dog who cast me adrift in irons. I found 
the ‘Essex’ to be a rotten ship, and in no condi¬ 
tion to withstand the onslaught of the English 
man-o-war ‘Argyle.’ We were engaged hand to 
hand, and it is I alone who is left to say that we 
were defeated by being outclassed by a superior 
ship. The balance of our men have gone by the 
board, sir, as also have a goodly number of Eng¬ 
lish salts. I was taken ashore for a day, then 
again to sea, beaten upon the body, shackled and 
set adrift. Then came the storm—” 

“And did you come away learning the name of 
the culprit who passed such a judgment upon 
you?” asked Burling. 


BILLINGSLY’S CRUELTY 


87 


“I did,.sir, and he is the same who passed Eng¬ 
lish gold into the hands of Lefevre, the informer,” 
answered Pedersen. 

4 ‘ And by name ?’ ’ inquired the pirate chief. 

“Billingsly,” answered Pedersen. 

To all those that were listening to Pedersen’s 
voice, there was more or less interested surprise 
at the mention of Billingsly’s name. To one in 
particular of the gathered assemblage did the 
mention of his name mean more. Cecille Hull 
had heard, and her soul was stirred by conflicting 
emotions. Horror, fear, doubt, all whirled rap¬ 
idly and reflectively through her mind. With 
great effort did she manage to compose herself 
enough to speak: 

“Your mate is yet in a state of mad delirium, 
Master Burling, and knows not what he speaks. I 
know Major Billingsly to be a mild-mannered 
officer, and quite incapable of having such cruelty 
inflicted upon a fellow creature.” 

“Speak again Pedersen,” came Burling’s re¬ 
quest to his mate, “that all may rightly hear. 
Were you bound and beaten upon the body by 
men who wore the gold lace of the French uni¬ 
form, or was it the red coat of the English King?” 

“I repeat, that I was condemned by the red coat, 
Billingsly, and that his judgment was put into 
execution by one Baldrige, of the English naval 
ship ‘Argyle.’ ” 

Pedersen’s voice carried with it the ring of 
convincing truth. His words were spoken with 
the serious mien of a man who had so lately been 
rescued from the very brink of death. Of the cor¬ 
rectness of his statement there was no further 
doubt, even in the mind of Cecille Hull. The very 


88 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

sincerity of his tone cast a weight upon her soul, 
and she leaned heavily upon the arm of Strang. 

So also did Pedersen’s words send a pang into 
the breast of Alice. Like a dart from a blow-gun, 
came the unveiled truth which implicated her 
lover, Baldrige, in the perpetration of such in¬ 
human treatment upon a fellow creature as that 
which had been inflicted upon the pirate mate. 
She linked her arm into that of Terese, and drew 
close to her as if to seek the balm of feminine sym¬ 
pathy and comfort. 

“You have spoken, Pedersen, enough for this 
time,” said Burling, “conserve your strength by 
remaining calm. When you are up and about upon 
the ‘Juana’s’ deck again, then will it be time for 
us to consider the plans to be followed in dealing 
with the two miscreants who are hiding their 
wolfish souls in the red uniform of the English 
King. Aye—your pulse is coming faster, man. 
Terese, will you provide some gentle music to 
soothe Pedersen’s shattered nerves?” 

And to Burling’s request did Terese apply her 
talents, wonderful talents, that befitted the oc¬ 
casion in such a way as to stir the human soul to 
its innermost depths. It was a sacred rendition, 
and as Terese touched ever so gently upon the 
strings of the harp, the beautiful strains that 
came therefrom could be likened unto the music 
of the gods. Calloused pirate seamen stood in 
silent awe, and in them was born anew, deeper 
sympathy and a firm resolution to avenge the 
wrong that had been perpetrated upon their mate. 


xn 

Pedersen Falls in Love With Cecille Hull 

As each successive day brought further strength 
to. Pedersen, also did Cecille Hull resume her 
daily visits to his bedside. And with each visit 
did she watch and marvel at the recuperative 
powers of the pirate mate. She saw his wan fea¬ 
tures take on the glow of youth, and with every 
movement of his body, elastic muscles rolled like 
waves under the white skin. 

His voice was rich, and his manner frank as 
that of a child. That he was pleased by her 
visits was evident by the cheerful manner in which 
he greeted her, and withal, Cecille Hull felt her¬ 
self being attracted to the man. That which had 
been intended as the role of a Samaritan, seeking 
to allay human suffering, was developing into an 
intimate friendship. 

From an early period of Pedersen’s conva¬ 
lescence his recovery was rapid, and as time drew 
on he took up his former duties as overseer of 
the pirate ship. It was then that Peter Burling 
summoned him into his own private quarters, to 
get together on the methods to be used in striking 
back at the two English officers—Billingsly and 
Baldrige. 

“Aye, Pedersen, I derive much comfort from 
the fact that you are with me again in full vigor,” 
said Burling. “I am further comforted by know¬ 
ing the value and power of your voice in wise 
counsel. You have suffered great bodily harm 
89 


90 


PETER BURLING, PIRATE 


at the hands of the English, and reprisal is in 
order. We hold a score of English subjects 
aboard the ‘ Juana.’ What is your wish in the 
matter ? ’’ 

“Of the male subjects aboard the ‘Juana,’ they 
shall remain unmolested,” answered Pedersen. 
“But from the two women more than tribute 
shall be exacted.’ ’ 

“What morel” asked Burling. 

‘ ‘ They shall pay us with their love. The same 
love that is claimed by the two red coats—Bil- 
lingsly and Baldrige—shall be ours,” answered 
Pedersen. 

“Do you mean to say these two charming 
women are loved by the two Englishers ? ’ 9 

“Of that I am quite sure,” replied Pedersen. 

‘ ‘ For when I was in their power as a captive, they 
questioned me much concerning the two women. 
I am certain also that the two red-coats were only 
waiting for the ‘Essex’ to reach the settlements 
to take unto themselves each a bride. What 
greater punishment then can we inflict than to 
take these fair women unto ourselves?” 

“Aye, Pedersen, you know my mind concerning 
women, that I would not lend myself in contribu¬ 
ting to their despoilment. I am also surprised 
at what you say, and cannot believe it to be your 
honest sentiment. ’ ’ 

“If you’ve misunderstood me, sir,” said 
Pedersen, “then do I make plain my intention of 
seeking the love of Cecille Hull. If I am suc¬ 
cessful in gaining her affections, then will I take 
her unto myself in honest wedlock, and in this way 
exact reprisal from Billingsly. Not for the sake 
of reprisal alone, but more from the motives of 
sincere love that I feel for the woman. I have 


PEDERSEN IN LOVE WITH CECILLE 91 

felt her magic touch upon my brow when I lay 
afflicted with Billingsly’s imposed torture, and 
she has spoken to me with the voice of an angel. 
My soul has been stirred to its innermost depths, 
and finer qualities have been awakened within 
me—qualities that have lain dormant, and of 
which I never knew. As each time that I look 
upon her, do I see more beauty, and I behold an 
attractive charm that to me no other woman is 
possessed. If Billingsly’s love for this woman is 
great, then my own love for her is even greater! 
To that extent of which he inflicted torture upon 
my body, will I in an equal measure impose upon 
him the qualm of disappointed love. That her 
heart shall become deadened toward him is my 
real purpose, in order that his days may be filled 
with solitude and remorse. I suggest that you do 
likewise in dealing with Baldrige. As he played 
no small part in inflicting the torture upon me, 
then you can render me the favor of exacting 
reprisal by taking the fair young Alice unto your¬ 
self. She is a comely lass, and would no doubt 
prove a worthy companion to you.” 

‘ ‘ That the girl is possessed of much beauty and 
is good to look upon I will not gainsay, but Peder¬ 
sen, you know that I’ve always held aloof from 
women. ’Twould be the least of my thoughts to 
trifle with their affections. As for yourself, affairs 
are different. You’ve expressed an honest love 
for Cecille Hull. As between Alice and myself I 
can see no common ground upon which to unite 
our affections. If I were dealing in an affair of 
love, methinks that Terese would have the first 
call.” 

“You must not forget,” resumed Pedersen, 
“that we are not dealing with women alone. The 


92 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

occasion demands that Billingsly and Baldrige he 
punished for the bodily torture they inflicted upon 
me. To do this we must acquire the love of the 
two women. No more deadly blow can be struck. 
Can I, your faithful mate, depend upon you to 
assume the role of an honest courtier for the hand 
of Alice Hull 1 99 

Burling hesitated for some moments before 
speaking. 

“For you alone, Pedersen, will I do this thing. 
Yes, for your sake will I plead my love for the 
fair Alice. YouVe suffered much, and your tor¬ 
mentors must be made to feel the vengeance of 
our wrath. Yes, you are right, Pedersen, they 
shall pay dearly—with the love of honest women.” 
Thus the die was cast. The steadfastness of the 
love of the two women for the English officers 
was to be put to the test. The well-bred refine¬ 
ment of two cultured women was brought into play 
against the crude allurement of plain but not un¬ 
comely men—pirates withal, but men who were 
not wholly devoid of honor in the matter of 
women. Two physically perfect men were to 
offer themselves to the two women who were 
known to be the affianced of Baldrige and Bil¬ 
lingsly. 

If in their deductions concerning Burling and 
Pedersen, these two women abhorred the taint of 
piracy, it must be said also that they were not 
blind to the beastly military spirit that dwelt 
under the red cloaks of Billingsly and Baldrige. 
Their brutality was exposed in the maltreating of 
Pedersen’s body, and this circumstance had re¬ 
acted against them in the eyes of the two women. 

To Cecille Hull the splendor of a luxuriantly- 
appointed ship became more fascinating with each 


PEDERSEN IN LOVE WITH CECILLE 93 

successive day. The moody spirit that had been 
hers when she first came aboard the “ Juana,” was 
giving way to a more congenial attitude toward 
her companions. Not infrequently did she avail 
herself of Burling’s extended courtesy in offering 
her the use of his library, a courtesy that was 
shared also by Strang, in the selection and perusal 
of many books of rare value and interest. 

Neither did her interest that was shown in 
looking to Pedersen’s welfare during the period 
in which he lay stricken, cease, or lag in any way 
now, since he had gained his full vigor and 
strength. Their acquaintance grew into more inti¬ 
mate friendship, and Cecille found the pirate mate 
to be an interesting companion. In him she dis¬ 
covered many traits that were wholly lacking in 
other men of her past acquaintance. She studied 
him with an analytical mind, and with each test 
of the alchemy of the human species, did she wit¬ 
ness the elements of his nature transmuted into 
the brilliancy of a noble character. 

In him she saw less of the pirate and more of 
the man in reality. As she always liked to study 
human character, Cecille Hull had indeed come 
upon a fertile field for her endeavors, in the per¬ 
son of Pedersen whom she found to be a subject of 
absorbing interest. 

The fact that Cecille Hull and Pedersen were 
seen much in each other’s company, was a circum¬ 
stance upon which was hinged considerable gos¬ 
sip—a usual sequence, of course, even aboard a 
pirate ship. Strang became puzzled by her 
friendly attitude toward the mate, but prudently 
held his tongue. 

Upon Alice Hull alone, perhaps, did the de¬ 
meanor of her aunt cast a pang of dejection. The 


94 


PETER BURLING, PIRATE 


devotion that had been bestowed upon her since 
childhood, became less evident now, and Alice felt 
an oppressive void creep into her heart. A feel¬ 
ing that could be likened unto that of a child los¬ 
ing the affection of a parent, for Cecille Hull had 
indeed fulfilled the obligations of a parent in an 
admirable manner by the rearing of her niece, 
Alice. 

As to Pedersen gossip wagged its tongue in 
a merry manner among the pirate seamen. Much 
of good natured bantering was indulged in by 
many who referred to him in a jocund manner as 
a “love-sick mate.” By a considerable number 
that had clustered about him upon the open deck, 
he was in humorous railery accused of neglecting 
his duties as an overseer of the ship, and of 
feigning sickness in order to receive the caresses 
of “the fair lady.” To all of which Pedersen 
pretended to resent, and with the feigned bluster 
of an enraged lion, he sent his mocking com¬ 
panions scurring to zones of safety beyond the 
reach of his great fists. If the artifice of pre¬ 
tended violence failed to silence his jesting com¬ 
rades, then would Pedersen resort to yet another 
recourse by offering them a bribe in the way of 
an extra ration of rum, which usually ended the 
railery. 


XIII 


Terese Walks in Her Sleep 

As regards the progress of Pedersen’s suit for 
the hand of Cecille Hull, as yet, there had been no 
thorn in his pathway. To leave these two unto 
themselves for a time, we pass on to the events 
pertaining to the amours of Peter Burling toward 
the fair Alice. 

If it has not been previously made clear, then 
let us repeat again, that the pirate skipper was 
a man of that rare type who may be met with but 
once in a life time. While admiring the beautiful 
makeup of Alice, his emotions toward her had 
never been moved beyond the point of common 
courtesy. In years he was yet young, having re¬ 
cently passed into early manhood. Of health and 
vigor he was richly endowed, and in his nicely 
contoured body and bronzed features could be dis¬ 
cerned the beauty of an Adonis. 

Most remarkable of all, perhaps, remains the 
more singular circumstance, that, underlying all 
the super-normal powers of Peter Burling, there 
was yet the emotion of love to be aroused in him, 
along with the other natural passions with which 
men are possessed. In his estimation of men, 
perhaps his own mate, Pedersen, held a place of 
higher regard than any of his friends. For this 
reason alone then, did he consent to enter upon 
Pedersen’s suggested plan to alienate the affec¬ 
tions of Alice Hull from her lover, Baldrige. 

By passing over the preliminary events—other 
95 


96 


PETER BURLING, PIRATE 


than to state that by the very force of his con¬ 
vincing manner he had gained the confidence of 
the girl—we find the pirate captain seated with 
Alice in his own luxurious quarters at a lonely 
hour of the night. The stillness was broken oc¬ 
casionally by the tropical wind passing through 
the ship’s shrouds and halyards, producing music 
like that of a bass ’cello, or by the wash of the 
waves against the “Juana’s” prow, or by the 
tramp of the night watch upon the deck, or even 
yet by the low tones in which Burling and Alice 
talked to each other. 

They were seated at a small mahogany table, 
and he leaned his body forward with arms and 
hands upon it. He was talking earnestly to the 
girl. 

‘ ‘ It appears to me as folly, Alice, that you should 
permit yourself to be attracted by the dazzle of a 
naval uniform. Know, you must, that under Bal- 
drige’s cloak there will be found a heart that has 
been made hungry for the lust of blood by the 
teachings of a greedy King. Can you throw your¬ 
self away upon this man? And waste your 
body in the bearing of children who will follow in 
his footsteps and become prey to the conscription 
of a future army? Better would it be that you 
throw your body to the sharks now, than to be 
troubled with the thoughts of losing your off¬ 
spring in such a manner. Have you not recog¬ 
nized the beastly spirit of Baldrige in the treat¬ 
ment of Pedersen? For Billingsly’s part in the 
affair, have you not seen your Aunt Cecille turn 
her heart against him? Can you not profit by her 
example now as you have in her wisdom of the 
past? So why not you close your heart against 
this servile subject of a degenerate King?” 


TERESE WALKS IN HER SLEEP 97 


Like the poison from a viper’s fang did Bur- 
ling’s words sicken her. Alice’s thoughts drifted 
hack reflectively to the happy days she had spent 
in Danny Baldrige’s company. For a moment she 
let her mind dwell upon the parting scene in which 
she had felt herself being embraced by him as he 
took his leave from the old town of Bradbury. 
Then her thoughts shifted quickly to the gruesome 
picture of Pedersen’s prostrate form being lifted 
aboard the “ Juana.” Next then, did she ponder 
upon the words of Burling. With a sadness of ex¬ 
pression that was made beautiful by her own in¬ 
nocence, did she raise her eyes to meet those of the 
pirate chief. 

‘ 4 Since you’ve chosen to portray the darker side 
of Danny Baldrige’s character, sir, does it not 
occur to you then, that he may possess many of 
the finer qualities by which a woman’s love could 
be attracted?” 

“The beastly instinct to kill by slow torture is 
indeed a base trait, my dear Alice, and can’t be 
hidden by parading a few comely virtues in the 
foreground,” answered Burling. 

“Then you accuse yourself,” said Alice. 

‘ ‘ In what way ? ’ ’ returned Burling. 

“Have I not witnessed the execution of Lefevre 
at your hands ? ’ ’ asked Alice. 

“Lefevre? That dog!” A shadow of resent¬ 
ment passed over the pirate’s countenance. Then 
with a voice that carried in it the tang of bitter¬ 
ness, he continued: “Lefevre was killed cleanly, 
and in accordance with the custom of the sea. 
He was not beaten upon the body and cast adrift, 
although I’m not saying that he didn’t deserve 
some such punishment.” 


98 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

“And didn’t you threaten him with the torture, 
sir?” 

“ ’Twas only my own subterfuge to make the 
vagabond talk. And talk he did. And spoke the 
truth for once, and gave up the gold that had been 
passed into his hands by Billingsly. Aye—Le- 
fevre was a traitorous dog, and an enemy to all 
men. The world has gained by the loss of such 
as he.” 

“And in the eyes of Danny Baldrige and Ma]or 
Billingsly Pedersen was also a pirate, and. an 
enemy of the King whom they serve, ’ ’ said Alice, 
in defense of the two English officers. 

“As such,” returned Burling, “he could have 
been shot or hanged, in pursuance with the com¬ 
mon custom of military procedure. Such a course 
would surely make plain to you the difference be¬ 
tween the true soldier and the fiend who lends 
himself to the practice of torture upon a captive. 
From the savage no doubt, have Billingsly and 
Baldrige learned the trick of twisting men’s 
bodies into bent positions to await slow death. 
But they have learned nothing in bravery from 
the savage. They were not brave enough to un¬ 
dertake and witness the burning of Pedersen at a 
stake. They inflicted the torture, then quickly 
cast him out of their sight. ’Twas an act of 
cowardice, and they cleverly seek to hide the foul¬ 
ness of their deed behind the pretense of duty.” 

Burling’s vituperative indictment of the two 
English officers was more than Alice could endure. 
The last thread of her defense had been broken, 
and for a moment she let her emotions subside in 
a flood of tears. 

Burling sat in silent courtesy until she should 
regain her composure. Finally Alice said: 


TERESE WALKS IN HER SLEEP 99 


“I question your motive, sir, in seeking to turn 
my heart against Danny Baldrige.” 

“ ’Twill suffice to say that it is an honest 
motive, my fair Alice,” returned Burling. 

“Then, because of Pedersen’s torture, is it that 
you seek to punish Danny Baldrige by blighting 
my love for him ? ’ ’ Alice asked pointedly. 

“Yes,” came Burling’s answer, honestly. 

“Is there yet another motive, sir? Has my 
youthful innocence attracted a desire within you 
to fill the void that you have endeavored to create 
in my heart?” she questioned shrewdly. 

“You may judge for yourself on that point, 
Alice. Draw your own conclusions as you may see 
fit. I will only say that I would he unfaithful to 
my honest convictions, if I were to set myself to 
the purpose of winning a woman’s love, then cast 
it aside as so much chaff. You are yet hut a child, 
Alice, and to me your beauty is like that of a lily. 
In your eyes I behold the blend of both the sky 
and sea, my favorite color. The bloom upon your 
cheeks and lips can he compared to the roses, and 
your breath like the fragrance of their sweet per¬ 
fume-” 

The pirate master leaned nearer and closed his 
large palm over both of Alice’s hands. Their 
eyes met in a silent reading of thoughts, that were 
recorded only in the secret recesses of their own 
souls. A heavy velvet curtain moved softly aside, 
as if by a gentle wafting of the wind. The silvery 
shafts from a tropical moon cast a gleam of light 
upon their features. A silent figure silhouetted 
itself in the opening of the curtain, and the mov¬ 
ing shadow caused Burling and Alice to look up. 
Then the figure stirred into the blue light of the 
moon’s rays. 



100 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

‘‘ Terese!’ ’ muttered the pirate skipper in a per¬ 
turbed tone. 

Terese made no answer. For a moment she 
stood, clad only in the silken folds of a sleeping 
garment. The moon’s rays cast a flood of soft 
light upon her, and her whole figure was a rare 
display of grace and beauty. 

To Alice the unexpected appearance of Terese 
was as much a surprise as it was to Burling. 
In addition, to both there came also a feeling of 
guilt. He studied the silent figure of the intruder 
closely. About her comely features there was 
something strange. True it was, that Terese 
stood before him in all her beauty. But there was 
something else. The peculiar strangeness in her 
eyes. Unseeing eyes, in which could be traced 
only the functioning of the subconscious mind. 
Terese was asleep. This fact dawned upon Bur- 
ling’s mind. He looked at Alice and placed a 
finger upon his lips for silence. Terese moved 
again toward the great harp. She touched gently 
upon the strings. Then followed the sweet 
strains of a love melody—music of the gods! 
Burling’s grip tightened upon Alice’s hands like a 
clasp of steel. Unconscious of his own strength he 
pressed them so tightly that Alice sat up from the 
pain of it. Their eyes met again. The music 
became more soft and low. It grew faint and 
barely audible, as if passing into a distance. It 
finally ceased, and Terese moved again, into the 
light. The cry of the night-watch broke the still¬ 
ness by announcing the midnight hour. The voice 
startled Terese into a state of semi-wakefulness. 
She yawned and opened her eyes wide. Question- 
ingly her lips formed themselves into a dreamy 
smile. The tick of a great clock became intensely 


TEKESE WALKS IN HEK SLEEP 101 


audible. Terese fastened her gaze upon its dial, 
where the arrow-like hands pointed upward one 
upon the other. The clocks gong beat hard upon 
the chimes, producing music like the successive 
striking upon a single bass string of the harp. 
Terese moved a thumb to a finger with each beat 
of the gong, counting upon her hand, until the 
stroke of twelve, and she was wide awake. Her 
glance fell upon Burling and Alice, seated at the 
small table, and her eyes opened wide in painful 
surprise. The pirate skipper released his grip 
upon Alice’s hands, and raised his arm slightly, in 
an attitude of uncertainty, while Alice sat dumb 
in questioning wonder. Terese shifted her glance 
to the objects of her immediate surroundings, as 
if to shake off a deceptive bewilderment. She 
looked again at the dial of the clock, and noted the 
lateness of the hour. Her eyes dropped to an in¬ 
ventory of her personal apparel, with the dis¬ 
covery that the silken cloth was her night gar¬ 
ment, and she quickly came to a full realization 
that she had been walking in her sleep. She be¬ 
came amused by the very peculiar situation in 
which she found herself, and gave expression to 
her sentiment by indulging in a short mirthful 
laugh. She turned her attention again to the 
other occupants of the room, and met the glances 
of Burling and Alice. She passed her hand before 
her eyes as if to brush away the mists, then made 
the sign of the cross. The shadow of a darkened 
mood flitted across her beautiful countenance for 
a moment, but quickly gave way to a bewitching 
smile. With a voice in which there could be traced 
the slightest rift of emotion, Terese said: 

“I ask the pardon of my good Master Burling 
and the fair Alice for my intrusion upon their 


102 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

tryst. That I am here at this late hour of the 
night is a circumstance over which I have had no 
control. May I ask if my actions have been im¬ 
prudent in any manner of which I am unaware ? 9 9 

“You've done nothing to offend, my fair Te¬ 
rese,” answered Burling. “Your music has been 
pleasing to our ears.” 

“And was I really playing upon the harp?” 
asked Terese in surprise. 

“Yes, and quite wonderfully you performed 
upon it, too,” said the pirate skipper. 

“And was the music in keeping with the senti¬ 
ments of your hearts ? ’ 9 she asked, with an arched 
brow and a shrug of her shoulders. 

“ 'Twas a love melody,” said Burling, eva¬ 
sively. 

“And befitting the occasion of Alice's presence 
in your quarters at this lonely midnight hour?” 
she asked pointedly. 

“ 'Twill suffice to say that if I were to state the 
truth concerning our presence here, your sleep 
would be none the more perturbed. Do you ques¬ 
tion our motives further, Terese?” said Burling, 
in a tone of voice in which authority could be de¬ 
tected. v 

“Yes, my good Master Burling,” began Terese, 
“I do question further. Does not the presence 
here of pretty Alice with you alone, indicate to me 
that you've at last had the emotion of love awak¬ 
ened in your manly breast, and that you have at 
last started to fall in love with a woman? Forget 
not that I offer my love to you, and wish to com¬ 
pete with the fair Alice, so I offer myself to you 
again in auction. What is your bid, my good 
Master Burling? Behold again my charms, and 
this my beautiful virgin body-” 


TERESE WALKS IN HER SLEEP 103 


Terese opened wide the folds of her cape, and 
with the exception of a short silken undergarment 
which girdled her waist and loins, she stood be¬ 
fore him nude, exposing a feminine body that was 
exquisite in grace and beauty, such as might excite 
the deepest admiration of a sculptor. A body 
that would quicken in a man the desire to possess, 
and to hold, and to guard jealously unto himself. 
A feminine visage that would attract and hold a 
man’s love, a feminine symbol aglow with that 
lustre and ardor by which men are drawn into 
deadly conflict with each other—the human lure of 
ages. 

Burling rose to his feet. His muscles became 
tense, as if a storm was raging within him, and 
with outstretched arms he made a step toward the 
half-nude figure, as if unable to resist the tempta¬ 
tion to crush it to his own breast. Terese quickly 
gathered the folds of the garment about her, and 
raised a warning hand against his advance. 

“Stop!” she warned. “I am asking only for 
your bid, sir. ’ ’ 

Burling studied the features of the dark-eyed 
girl for a moment before he spoke. 

“I shall have to ask for more time, Terese, to 
debate the matter over and over in my mind. 
That the wiles of a fair woman has moved the 
sturdy heart of Pedersen I am quite sure, but as 
to myself I am not certain of my ground. That 
my emotions have been moved by your marvel¬ 
ous display of beauty I will not gainsay, but I 
must be frank by stating that the comeliness of 
Alice has also made its impression upon me . 9 9 

“You are possessed of a great powerful body, 
my good Master Burling, but do you think your 


104 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

heart is big enough to hold the love of two 
women!” asked Terese. 

“Why, there’s that man named Solomon, who 
was considered wise in many ways, and who built 
a great temple and took unto himself many wives. 
Would my judgment be at fault then, if I, the 
owner of a great ship, should choose to add to my 
rich treasure of gold and guns, the further luxury 
of beautiful women?” 

Burling’s words caused a look of surprise to 
come over the features of his two feminine com¬ 
panions, who exchanged glances with each other. 

“Then you desire to blight my hopes by offer¬ 
ing to let another share in your affections I ’ ’ said 
Terese. “Ah, my good Master Burling, your 
words inflict a torture upon my soul. ’ ’ 

“We’ll not discuss the matter further, Terese. 
The hour is growing late. Return to your quar¬ 
ters and let your thoughts dwell upon the fact 
that your charms shall have the first call upon my 
affections. And do you retire also, Alice, as I 
have to take a look at my charts, and lay the 
‘ Juana ’s’ course.” 

Thus did the pirate chieftain dismiss the two 
comely maidens from his presence. When they, 
had gone he stood for several moments, silent as 
a statue, reflecting in his own way concerning the 
perplexity of a woman’s mystic nature. 

He went out upon the “Juana’s” deck, studied 
the heavens for a time, consulted a moment with 
his helmsman, then returned again to his quarters 
and applied himself to a study of his charts. 
There he remained until the dawn of another and 
eventful day. 


XIV 


The Passing of Jere Grimm 

Molbech came early to report the illness of a 
pirate seaman. 

“ Jere Grimm is indisposed, sir,” said he, “and 
will not partake either of food or rum.” 

“And does your knowledge in such things en¬ 
able you to express the nature of his illness?” in¬ 
quired Burling. 

“ 'Tis the yellow sickness, sir, I am quite sure,” 
answered Molbech. “The disease has reached the 
stage where Jere Grimm is being seized with the 
black vomit. ' ' 

Molbech's declaration caused Burling to sit up 
with a start. The threatening scourge of yellow 
fever aboard his ship was a menace that could be 
looked upon alone as a blighting shadow in which 
lurked the rapier of death, a contagion which, if 
energetic measures were not taken, might spread 
to every quarter of the ship. 

But if energetic measures were needed, Peter 
Burling was not lacking in initiative. For he de¬ 
termined to stem the spread of the dread disease, 
which he considered a duty to the other members 
of the “Juana's” company of human souls. 

He sent Molbech to summon Pedersen and 
Strang. These two shortly made their appear¬ 
ance in the skipper's quarters, and he at once fell 
to a discussion of his plans. 

“Aye, gentlemen, I regret to report to you that 
we have an unpleasant duty to perform. The yel- 
105 


106 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

low sickness has taken hold of onr good shipmate, 
Jere Grimm, and at the most as he has but another 
day to live, I’ve decided that his life shall be 
shortened to expire within this hour. Consider¬ 
ing his deeds of valor and courage, it is a hard 
thing to do, but this ship must be rid of him at 
once. His body must go into the sea, and that as 
quickly as arrangements can be made. To you, 
Pedersen, shall fall the task of placing the plank 
in position near Jere Grimm ’s quarters, in order 
that he may step up and out upon it with his own 
strength. And to you my good Mister Strang, 
shall fall the duty of ministering a few encourag¬ 
ing words unto the man in this, his last earthly 
hour. And upon myself I will take the burden of 
performing the painful duty of apprising Jere 
Grimm of his fate.” 

So saying, Burling took himself straightway to 
the quarters of the stricken man. He scrutinized 
the prostrate figure closely for a moment before 
he spoke, as if to first judge of the man’s physical 
and mental powers. 

“Aye, Jere, are you aware that you have made 
your last cruise upon this wide expanse of blue 
water, and that your spirit will soon be on its 
journey to a strange and mysterious port?” 

“Yes,” replied Jere Grimm, “the rise of an¬ 
other sun will see an end of me.’ 9 

“ ’Twill be sooner than that, Jere. Much 
sooner. You must go over the ‘Juana’s’ side 
within this hour.” 

The stricken man studied Burling’s features 
with a questioning look. There came a lumbering 
noise just without his quarters, and Jere Grimm 
sat upright on his bunk. He recognized the fa¬ 
miliar sound of the plank being dropped heavily 


PASSING OF JERE GRIMM 


107 


upon the deck, and through the open door he saw 
Pedersen with a detail of men placing it in posi¬ 
tion. Then was it that Jere Grimm caught the 
full meaning of Burling’s words. 

“You've rendered good service upon this ship, 
Jere,” said Burling, 4 ‘and have applied yourself 
willingly to every duty that has been imposed 
upon you. I’ve never known you to shirk or 
whine about your tasks. Neither do I question 
your courage now, to walk out upon that plank 
and throw your dying body into the sea. To you 
this is my last command, and for yourself a last 
duty to perform. This ship must be rid of the 
pestilence which your body holds, in order that 
the other members of the ‘Juana’ may be pro¬ 
tected from it. Speak up, man, have you the 
bodily strength to walk out upon the plank, un¬ 
assisted?” 

With great effort, Jere Grimm raised himself 
and stood trembling weakly upon his feet. He 
swayed unsteadily for a moment, then sank down 
again upon his bunk, in a state of collapse. 

“Have you no stimulant to offer the man?” 
said Burling to Molbech. The latter withdrew 
from his pocket a small vial containing a yellow 
powder. 

‘ ‘ I have this, sir, which will revive him quickly, 
but within the course of a few minutes it will reach 
his heart and kill him,” answered Molbech. 

“It matters not concerning the fatal effect of 
the drug, just so long as he is sufficiently revived 
to walk out upon the plank,” said Burling. 

Molbech stepped forward and carefully admin¬ 
istered a part of the contents of the vial upon the 
tongue of the prostrate man. Within the course 
of a couple of minutes, Jere Grimm began to be- 


108 


PETER BURLING, PIRATE 


stir himself. He raised himself again to a sitting 
posture upon his bunk. A peculiar light came into 
his eyes, and he smiled broadly at those about 
him. He yawned and stretched his limbs as if 
awakening from a sound slumber. A ray of sun¬ 
light focused in upon him through an open panel, 
and he was attracted by it. 

“Aye, I have slept late,” he said, “and if I 
don't soon bestir myself, Pedersen may have rea¬ 
son to suspect that I am shirking him, and deny 
me my ration of rum.” 

“Your time is short, Jere,” said Burling, “and 
while your strength is at its best, take up the bed¬ 
ding upon which you have lain and step out upon 
the plank. Our good Mister Strang is near at 
hand and may have some encouraging word to 
offer as you venture forth to embark upon the 
cruise of mystery that follows death.” 

The stricken man studied the pirate chief close¬ 
ly, then shifted his gaze toward the plank, which 
lay in readiness. With the composure of a man 
performing an ordinary tsak, he rolled his bed¬ 
ding into a neat bundle and brought it to rest upon 
his hip, with an arm encircled about it. 

With the natural swagger that had always been 
his custom, he stepped through the door to the 
open deck. There, he hung his head in silence, 
while Strang chanted the ritual ceremony of the 
dead. A hundred heads were bared in respectful 
silence, and there came a lull in the wind, creating 
the stillness of the tomb. From another quarter 
of the ship came the strains of a funeral dirge, 
which indicated that Terese, as usual, was not 
lacking in providing music at an appropriate time. 
The doomed man raised his glance to the open 
sky and listened attentively. He next looked to 


PASSING OF JERE GRIMM 


109 


the right and to the left, at the line of faces on 
either side of him at the ‘‘ Juana's’’ rail. Then 
with a sweep of his hand he waved a departing 
gesture to all, and bravely stepped upon the 
plank, moving with a slow and measured tread, 
until he plunged into the sea. 

The passing of Jere Grimm was a drastic 
measure indeed, but withal, the first preliminary 
step taken by Burling to free his vessel from the 
dreaded contagion of yellow fever. Then fol¬ 
lowed the irksome task of cleaning every inch of 
the ship. Soap and salt as a formula for scrub¬ 
bing her decks was used in conjunction with the 
burning of sulphur within her hold and the var¬ 
ious compartments. Every person that could be 
spared to the task lent themselves eagerly, not 
excepting Burling himself, or even the women 
members of the ship’s company. 

Toward evening their labors were finished, and 
the ‘ 1 Juana” glistened with a wholesome cleanli¬ 
ness. Burling expressed his satisfaction by or¬ 
dering a liberal portion of rum passed to all who 
cared to partake. This was followed by music 
and dancing, and the incident concerning the 
passing of Jere Grimm became but a fading 
memory. 


XV 

The Pirate Ship Chased by a British Man-o-War 

With the setting of the sun there came upon the 
horizon the heavy outline of a ship of consider¬ 
able proportions, sailing at an angle and a speed 
that would, in the course of a short time, bring it 
directly into the ‘ 4 Juana’s” path. Burling’s at¬ 
tention was fastened upon the newcomer, as was 
Pedersen ’s also, and together the two pirates be¬ 
gan their deductions concerning her. In size the 
strange ship could be computed to be equal to the 
“ Juana,” and the rays of the setting sun cast off 
an occasional reflective glint of steel from her 
decks. 

‘‘ What do you make of her, Pedersen ?” asked 
Burling, as he passed the sea-glass to his compan¬ 
ion. 

The pirate mate focused the glass upon the 
bold outline of the strange ship. Gazing for a 
moment, his body stiffened into a tenseness which 
indicated that what he saw about the strange 
craft had moved him into an unusual alertness. 
He lowered and raised the glass and gazed with 
his naked eye, alternately, several times before 
he spoke. 

“Aye, Cap, she is an English man-o-war, and 
the same that is commanded by that dog, Baldrige. 
She’s none other than the ‘Argyle,’ from which 
I was set adrift, and the same that inflicted such 
heavy damage upon the 6 Essex’.” 

“Then in addition to the English colors that 

no 


PIRATE SHIP CHASED 111 

hang from her foremast, have you observed more 
than If” said Burling. 

“That I have,” returned Pedersen; “you will 
see by the naked eye the new white canvas that is 
strung to his standing jib to replace the one that 
was shot away by the ‘Essex’s’ howitzer. And 
notice also that from all but one of the davits 
there hangs a small boat. The one empty davit 
explains that the missing boat is the one in which 
I had been set adrift,” and he pointed to the small 
boat on the “Juana’s” deck in which he had been 
picked up. 

His deductions were correct, for it was indeed 
none other than the “Argyle” that was bearing 
down hard across the “Juana’s” path. 

The keen-minded Baldrige had been following 
a zig-zag course back and forth for many days in 
quest of the pirate craft, and had at last struck 
upon a hot trail. 

The two vessels grew ever closer and closer 
together. Darkness was also beginning to cast 
long shadows across the sea. Pedersen was em¬ 
phatic in expressing a desire to engage the Eng¬ 
lish craft in open conflict. 

“Engage the dogs, sir,” he urged his pirate 
captain. 4 ‘ Let them learn that they are not deal¬ 
ing with a weak under-manned vessel like the 
‘Essex’ now, but a craft instead that will test 
their mettle. ’ ’ 

But Peter Burling was not given to hasty judg¬ 
ment. He knew Pedersen’s feelings to be those 
of a man seeking vengeance by any means that 
might be offered. Therefore the pirate skipper 
felt himself obliged to choose upon a plan that 
was at variance with his mate’s views. 

“ ’Twould be indiscreet to engage them at this 


112 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

particular said Burling. “Darkness will 

soon be upon us, and should we become engaged, 
hand to hand, it would hinder our best efforts. 
Better would it be to draw them into pursuit of 
us. We are but one sun out from the friendly 
harbor of Havana, and the nearer we can lead 
them to that port, then, better will be the chances 
of their undoing. We shall fire a salute to the 
Spanish Admiral, Miguel Alverez, ere this time 
tomorrow, and perchance Don Miguel Alverez 
may avail himself of the opportunity to test the 
range of the ‘ArgyleV guns.” 

“Shall we run away, then, without even chal¬ 
lenging their impudence !” asked Pedersen in a 
tone of impatience, and who added further, “We 
yet have time to fire a broadside upon them before 
the darkness sets in. ,, 

“We may venture close enough to draw their 
fire,” responded Burling, “yet remain at such a 
distance that they may inflict no damage upon us. 
A broken spar or a shattered mast at this time 
would place us at a disadvantage in leading them 
into the waters occupied by Miguel Alverez.’ 9 

The “Argyle’s” course lay across the wind, 
while that of the “Juana” was directly with it. 
To maneuver his vessel in such a way as to evade 
the range of the “Argyle’s” guns was a matter 
that required a rare skill in seamanship. But if 
Burling was lacking in any way concerning the 
finer arts of seafaring, his shortcomings were 
overcome by the superior knowledge of Pedersen. 
As between the two in matters pertaining to the 
shifting of a sail, or the maneuvering of a vessel, 
there existed an expertness of stratagem that 
was unexcelled. 

Under full sail, Burling veered the “Juana’s” 


PIRATE SHIP CHASED 


113 


course at a slight angle abaft the English naval 
ship. As if discerning the pirate’s motive to 
avoid encounter, the alert Baldrige at once began 
a shifting of canvas that would throw the 44 Ar- 
gyle’s” course directly with the wind. That the 
pirate skipper had figured the necessity of the 
changing of the “Argyle’s” sails, was shown by 
his shouting of a series of orders to his subordi¬ 
nates. 

44 Straight with the wind!” to his helmsman, 
and— 4 4 Give them a broadside now, Pedersen, 
while the dogs are busy with their sails.” 

The 44 Argyle” was veering into a quarter turn 
when the heavy howitzers of the 44 Juana” were 
turned loose upon her. The thunder of the pi¬ 
rate’s guns came back like an echo in the 44 Ar- 
gyle’s” quick reply. The semi-darkness became 
streaked with fiery red flashes from the guns of 
the belligerent ships, and spiral jets of water 
sprung up like gushing fountains as the heavy 
leaden missiles fell short of their mark. The 
whine of grape-shot intermingled with the curses 
of heavy-chested men, and as the 44 Argyle” 
righted herself with the wind, the chase was on. 

The pirate’s strategy in the quick maneuvering 
of his ship, coupled with the fact of his firing upon 
the English craft just at a time when the latter 
was shifting canvas, causing some confusion on 
the 44 Argyle” gave him a comparatively safe 
lead in advance of Baldrige’s guns. A running 
fire was kept up for a time, but the distance be¬ 
tween the two ships was sufficient to render it in¬ 
effective. The falling darkness was a factor also 
that contributed to a lessening of the firing, ex¬ 
cept in a desultory manner. 

Whether or not the contest was to be soon re- 


114 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

newed, depended wholly upon the speed of the two 
vessels. Burling’s cunning plan to lure the Eng¬ 
lish ship into the waters occupied by a consider¬ 
able force of Spanish war craft that habitually 
patrolled the territory adjacent to Havana har¬ 
bor, was aided by the grim determination of Bal- 
drige to force the issue to the point of serving a 
double purpose—the capture of Burling—and the 
rescue of the two women. 

Every inch of canvas that could be brought to 
play advantageously was unfurled to the nightly 
breeze, and the two vessels swept into a direct 
course with the wind. Thus was begun a contest 
in which the endurance and speed of two seeming¬ 
ly well-matched ships were to be put to the test 
of relative superiority. And upon the outcome 
of which depended much to the chief participants 
in matters pertaining to honor, glory, hate, love, 
and revenge. e 

Baldrige was confident in the fleetness of his 
own ship, but mile after mile and hour after hour, 
on and on into the night the pirate craft main¬ 
tained a safe lead just beyond the range of the 
“Argyle’s” guns. 

Lest his pursuers might be thrown off the trail 
in the darkness, Burling kept the lights of his own 
ship at full display. Likewise did Pedersen seem 
to derive some satisfaction by indulging himself 
in the promiscuous firing of a howitzer from the 
“ Juana’s” stern, a procedure by which, of course, 
he could not hope to inflict any material damage, 
but withal serving nicely the pirate chieftain’s 
purpose of luring Baldrige on. 

The night waned, then came the dawn, followed 
by the illuminating rays of a brilliant morning 
sun which drove the shadows of night beyond the 


PIRATE SHIP CHASED 


115 


horizon, and lifted the curtain of darkness from 
the sea, revealing a scene in which was displayed 
the gorgeous splendor of two majestic ships, 
every sail flung to the wind, with shrouds and 
halyards strung taut as the strings of a ’cello, 
arrayed with glittering weapons set in readiness 
to be put into action at an opportune moment, and 
recruited to full strength with vigorous men of 
undaunted courage who stood ready to engage 
one another in deadly conflict. 

As the day wore on into greater brilliancy, so 
also did the souls of the principal characters be¬ 
come moved by varied emotions. Baldrige paced 
the “Argyle’s” decks impatiently, examining 
carefully the lay of every sail, as if to determine 
its efficiency in taking the wind. At frequent in¬ 
tervals he played his glass upon the stately out¬ 
line of the “ Juana,” and envied Peter Burling 
for the possession of such an excellent ship. As 
each time that he focused the glass upon the flee¬ 
ing pirate vessel, his scrutinizing gaze sought 
diligently for the figure of Alice, and not infre¬ 
quently did he conjecture to recognize her girlish 
outline moving about occasionally upon the decks 
of the swiftly-moving “ Juana.” 

He likewise surmised the outline of another 
figure as being that of Cecille Hull, and there 
came a picture into his mind of the broken-spirit¬ 
ed Billingsly. Vividly did he recall the scene in 
which the English Major had drawn his sword in 
a manner of self-destruction. Then again, with 
renewed force, did it appear to Baldrige, that the 
causation of much in the way of trouble, disap¬ 
pointment, and depression of spirit, was all em¬ 
bodied in what he saw slightly in advance of the 


116 


PETER BURLING, PIRATE 


range of his guns—a super ship—a cunning pi¬ 
rate, and two comely women. 

A great wrath arose within Baldrige and he 
clutched at his belt and unsheathed his cutlass. 
Moving a few steps forward, he gave vent to his 
feelings by waving the blade defiantly at the flee¬ 
ing pirate vessel. Whether or not his actions had 
been observed by the pirates, or as a matter of 
mere coincidence, a curl of smoke emitted from 
one of the “Juana’s” guns, and a spiral jet of 
water was flung upward at a short distance in 
front of the “Argyle.” Baldridge replied with a 
shot from one of his own guns, but the missile fell 
short. 

Aboard the pirate ship there was much of keen 
alertness. Like Baldrige, Pedersen was impa¬ 
tient with the desire to be engaged in a decisive 
conflict. Not so, however, with Peter Burling. 
The pirate chief knew the value of strategy, and 
contented himself by calculating upon the success 
of his cunningly-devised plan to lead Baldrige 
into the trap, of which Miguel Alverez and his 
Spanish war craft formed an integral part. 


XVI 

The Pikate Ship Caught in a Trap 

The sun had passed the meridian line and was 
leaning toward the western horizon when the 
purple outline of a stretch of land rose up in the 
sea. Burling held his course toward its most 
easterly point, where reposed the snug harbor of 
Havana. By the middle of the afternoon, objects 
of the land became discernible to the naked eye, 
and the color changed to a shade of beautiful 
green that was quite in keeping with the tropical 
foliage of Cuba. 

Other objects became discernible also. At dif¬ 
ferent points in the general direction in which the 
two ships were racing, the sea became flecked with 
patches of white canvas, which Peter Burling 
quite readily understood. They were the ships 
of Don Miguel Alverez, guarding the entrance to 
the harbor. 

The pirate skipper ran up a Spanish flag, a 
custom that usually gained for him an unchal¬ 
lenged entrance into the port, for it may be said 
here, that, for reasons known only to Burling and 
the Spanish port officials themselves, the pirate 
had always been accorded a friendly welcome into 
Havana. 

As the two ships drew nearer the Spanish ar¬ 
mada, Burling had expected that the Englishman 
would give up the chase and seek safety in flight. 
But upon this point the pirate’s deductions were 
in error. Baldrige came on. 

117 


118 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

The approach of the two vessels was a circum¬ 
stance that caused Don Miguel Alverez to bestir 
himself into readiness for any eventuality. The 
unfurling of additional sheets of white canvas be¬ 
came evident on every side, and the seemingly 
habitual lazy attitude of Don Miguel’s fleet be¬ 
came more alert. 

In choosing a point of entrance into the harbor, 
Burling maneuvered his ship in such a way as to 
pass directly into a lane formed by a unit of the 
Spanish war craft. Baldrige maneuvered also, 
and bore hard upon the pirate’s trail. Burling 
chuckled with satisfaction as he watched the “Ar- 
gyle” approach into the range of the Spanish 
guns. 

“The man must be going mad,” he remarked 
to Pedersen. “If he has lost his reason and can 
run the gauntlet of Don Miguel’s guns, the dog 
may follow us into the confines of the harbor.” 

“That he may, sir,” answered Pedersen in a 
tone of eagerness, “then we shall fall upon him.” 

But Miguel Alverez dropped a shot across the 
“Argyle’s” bow, and Baldrige hove to in the 
midst"of the Spanish fleet. And Don Miguel put 
out in a small boat toward the English ship, all of 
which was witnessed with much interest by Peter 
Burling, as he slid gracefully into the inner har¬ 
bor. 

“That Miguel Alverez has laid his hand upon 
a formidable prize which he may add to his own 
fleet, and withal there has been no blood spilled 
in the capture; methinks, Pedersen, that Don 
Miguel may be willing to pass us a measure of 
Spanish gold in return for the favor we have ren¬ 
dered him, by leading the Englisher into his very 


CAUGHT IN A TRAP 


119 


hands. ’Twas a stroke of strategy that is deserv¬ 
ing of a fair reward. ’ ’ 

Burling’s comment elicited no reply from Ped¬ 
ersen. The latter showed the keen disappoint¬ 
ment which he felt by having been denied an op¬ 
portunity to engage Baldrige in a finish fight. 
Burling understood his maters silence, and ad¬ 
dressed him further. 

‘ 4 That we made this port with a whole ship and 
a full crew, and our purpose has been nicely 
served without the letting of blood, is a circum¬ 
stance that bespeaks the merit of cool judgment 
as against hasty action.” 

“It may be so, it may be so,” replied Pedersen. 

“In the main, our objects have been attained,” 
resumed Burling. “Baldrige is in the hands of 
Miguel Alverez, but owing to our efforts in ef¬ 
fecting his capture, methinks that the Englisher 
should be our prisoner, and, perchance, Don 
Miguel can be induced to see the justice of such 
a claim.” 

But once more the pirate chief’s deductions 
were at fault. He had been cruising about the 
open sea for months, and many things had hap¬ 
pened of which he had no knowledge. One thing 
in particular was the fact that the English and 
Spanish had negotiated a peace agreement. 
Therefore, Baldrige was not treated as a prisoner 
by Miguel Alverez, but was received more in the 
manner of a friendly visitor in the Spanish terri¬ 
torial waters. 

Other matters had transpired also, of which the 
pirate skipper as yet knew nothing. The civil au¬ 
thorities of Havana province were awaiting a 
chance to arrest Burling on a charge of abducting 
Terese Calderon. The girl’s uncle, Don Jose 


120 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

Calderon, a wealthy Spanish nobleman, had in 
some manner learned of the whereabouts of 
Terese, and was using his money as well as his 
influence in an effort to bestir the provincial offi¬ 
cers into action concerning her return to his 
estate. 

Furthermore, there was another circumstance 
of which Burling was quite ignorant. At con¬ 
spicuous places in the city of Havana—as else¬ 
where in the principal ports of the world—posters 
were in evidence offering a handsome reward in 
gold for the pirate’s apprehension. So after all, 
that which Burling considered a master stroke 
of strategy in leading Baldrige into the Spanish 
stronghold, was, in reality, a trap into which the 
pirate himself had unwittingly stepped. 

The last friendly port was closed, and he was 
hemmed in on every side by men who sought his 
destruction. Miguel Alverez might come into the 
harbor at any time and demand a surrender, and 
Don Miguel might be accompanied by Baldrige, 
seeking the release of the two women. In fact 
there existed several contingencies that bespoke 
ill omen for the pirate chief, and all of which he 
was yet unaware. 

But Peter Burling was a cunning pirate. 
Coupled with his keen shrewdness there was great 
physical strength and courage. Although having 
been engaged in many desperate encounters, he 
had never met defeat. His present hazardous 
situation could be reckoned as being equal, if not 
greater than any that he had ever been forced to 
meet. 

When Burling put his foot upon the shore, the 
first thing that attracted his attention was a cari¬ 
catured poster of himself upon which there was 


CAUGHT IN A TRAP 


121 


set forth that five thousand pounds in English 
gold would be paid for the delivery of the pirate, 
dead or alive, into the hands of any authorized 
agent of the English naval or military forces. 

Then did it dawn upon him that matters were 
not as they should be, or as they had been. The 
significance of an English placard displayed in a 
Spanish port was quite readily understood by him 
as meaning that, during his absence upon the sea, 
the two warring nations had concluded a peace. 

While yet pondering upon the import of what 
the placard disclosed, he was accosted by a Span¬ 
ish sentry. 

“Does the pirata Capitan consent to go peace¬ 
ful before the Commandante Generala, or shall I, 
Pedro Herrera, collect the nice reward by deliv¬ 
ering the Capitan’s body to the Commandante of 
the English ship that lies at anchor just without 
the harbor ? ’’ The sentry’s gun, a heavy carbine, 
was brought threateningly into play near the pi¬ 
rate’s breast. 

“And would Pedro Herrera have blood upon 
his hands in order that his pockets might be filled 
with English gold ? Has he so soon forgotten the 
wrongs that have been inflicted upon his people 
by their late enemy, the English King?” Bur- 
ling’s questions were put to the sentry in a smooth 
pleasing tone. 

“But we now have peace with the English 
King,” answered the sentry with a shrug of his 
shoulders. “Besides, five thousand English 
gold pounds would make Pedro Herrera much rich 
man. There is yet another matter concerning 
which the Commandante Generala desires the 
presence of Captain Burling.” 

“And what may that be?” asked Burling. 


122 


PETER BURLING, PIRATE 


“The abduction of Terese Calderon,’’ answered 
Pedro Herrera, shortly. 

“She is approaching us now—” 

The sentry turned his head slightly to follow 
the direction of Burling’s glance. Like a flash, 
the pirate fell upon the man and quickly throttled 
him into submission. Terese was not, nor had 
she been in sight. Burling merely pretended to 
witness her approach, as a ruse to throw the sen¬ 
try off his guard, and his ruse was successful. 
Pedro Herrera was no match for the pirate in 
physical strength, and was soon disarmed and 
cowed. 

‘‘ Come!’ 9 ordered Burling. 61 If you attempt to 
make an outcry I shall break your body in twain 
and throw it to the sharks.” 

He retraced his steps toward the harbor again, 
dragging Pedro Herrera with him and went 
aboard the “Juana.” The dusk of early evening 
was falling, and as the encounter had taken place 
at a lonely point along the harbor, no one had 
been attracted by it. 

By his brief visit ashore, Burling had learned 
enough concerning the state of affairs to realize 
that his position was far from being advanta¬ 
geous. He placed his prisoner in irons and went 
into conference with Pedersen. A plan was 
agreed upon whereby Terese was to form a part. 

To offset the charge of abduction that stood 
against him concerning the girl’s presence upon 
his ship, Burling fell upon the plan to take her 
ashore, that she might truthfully relate the cir¬ 
cumstances by which she became a member of the 
“Juana’s” company. 

Terese was summoned, and the plan was laid 
before her. At first she protested. 


CAUGHT IN A TRAP 


123 


“Does my good Master Burling seek to banish 
me from his ship, in order that there shall be more 
room in his heart for the love of pretty Alice? 
And does he suggest that I, Terese Calderon, who 
am young and fair and chaste, be returned again 
into the company of those lecherous wolves—the 
Spanish noblemen V 9 

But Burling reassured her. He unfolded his 
plan in a clear, concise manner. Going into every 
detail, showing the necessity of such a move, in 
order that the chain of adverse circumstances 
might not be forged against him. Finally, convinc¬ 
ing Terese that there would be no practice of de¬ 
ception; but instead,—to use his own words—“A 
stroke of strategy that will put our feet upon 
the ground and place us in a position to ward off 
an even greater blow that is sure to follow. * 9 


XVII 

Burling Arranges for a Temporary Respite 

The shades of darkness fell heavily upon the 
quaint old city of Havana. Two figures, a stal¬ 
wart muscular man, and a lithe comely girl, pick¬ 
ed their way cautiously through the narrow dim- 
lit streets. A lazy sentry turned his head and 
let his gaze follow the pair, and wondered at the 
fine physique of the man and the beautifully-con¬ 
toured figure of the girl. 

Seeking alms, a wretched beggar held out his 
hand to the passing couple, and was rewarded by 
having a piece of gold placed within his itching 
palm. He, too, clutched the coin firmly and gazed 
in wonderment. 

Sounds of music came into the stillness of the 
evening. The couple drew up in front of a bril¬ 
liantly-lit, imposing structure. It was Payret 
Tavern, famed far and wide for its gaieties and 
nightly orgies. . It was the rendezvous where 
gathered the scions of Spanish noblemen, who 
came with much gold to indulge themselves in 
revelry; a place of sin, into which flocked an ex¬ 
clusive throng, representing the wealth and high 
rank of the community; seeking sensual gratifica¬ 
tion in an atmosphere of wine, women and song_ 

the canker of past ages and present day society. 

It was a condition in which Terese Calderon 
had recognized the elements of debasement, and 
she had fled from it and taken refuge upon a 
pirate ship. She was now returning to it—return- 


A TEMPORARY RESPITE 


125 


ing with a purpose, to save the man she loved from 
an ignomy that might lead to his imprisonment 
and death. 

The gaieties of the evening had developed into 
a state of unbridled brazenry at Payret Tavern, 
when the nicely-clad figures of the two pedestrians 
of the night approached the place and sought ad¬ 
mission. A doorman clad in military regalia, 
blocked their passage. The girl smiled, called him 
by name, and he recognized her. In a manner 
pleasing she vouched for her companion and the 
doors of Payret Tavern swung open to them. 

Their entrance attracted the attention of the 
revelers. The girl went in advance of her com¬ 
panion. Laying aside her walking cape, she stood 
forth alone in a dancing costume. The music and 
dancing became lax, and the eyes of the as¬ 
semblage were upon her, gazing in surprise and 
wonder. 

“Terese —las hermosura aun virtuoso!” A 
hundred voices proclaimed the virtue of the girPs 
name, and a great cheer went up. She bowed to 
the maudlin throng, and her stalwart companion 
advanced to her side. 

“ Pedro Burling —la grande pirata!” came also 
from a hundred throats, and there was less cheer¬ 
ing. The pirate bowed and smiled in a manner of 
reserve. 

Glasses were filled and raised in honor to the 
comely virtues of Terese. They were filled again, 
and while their contents were drunk by some, 
others there were who cast the wine aside, as 
expressing the mixed sentiment that existed for 
and against the pirate chief. 

The festivities were resumed after a time, and 
Burling and Terese swung themselves gracefully 


126 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

into the dancing. Terese restricted her com¬ 
panion to a single dance, after which she accepted 
the courtesies of the gay young nobles who sought 
the honor to indulge with her in the congenial art. 

Burling scanned the assemblage in search of 
familiar faces, and was gratified by the presence 
of many whom he knew personally. For, it may 
be said here, that he was not a stranger to the 
place, and numbered among his acquaintances, 
were men who exerted considerable influence in 
the affairs of Havana province. They were, in 
the main, men like himself, but more elderly, 
who had, by methods like his own, gathered con¬ 
siderable wealth from the sea. Pirates withal 
they had been, but at a time when piracy was a 
custom, not looked upon with disfavor by many. 
From men of this type, Burling hoped to gain 
support. 

Not a few of these elderly men, former pirates, 
were present as interested spectators at the eve¬ 
ning’s frivolities, and the pirate chief fell into 
earnest discussion with them concerning the haz¬ 
ardous position in which he was in. And by the 
force of his logic did he win the favor of these 
men, in a manner that offered him much encour¬ 
agement in the way of establishing a strong de¬ 
fense. 

That the pirate was in great need of strong sup¬ 
port from some quarter, became evident when 
he learned that the one important stipulating 
clause of the English-Spanish peace treaty, was 
that neither nation should harbor or condone the 
presence of any pirate craft in their respective 
territorial waters, or upon the high seas, fixing 
no less a penalty than that of death upon any 
pirate who might be apprehended. It was a 


A TEMPORARY RESPITE 


127 


final drastic measure intended to sweep the last 
vestige of piracy from the sea. 

Among those present at Payret Tavern was 
Don Miguel Alverez, the Spanish naval com¬ 
mander. He greeted Burling with a friendly 
salutation and invited the latter to be seated with 
him at a table that stood a little apart from the 
rest, and somewhat secluded. The free flow of 
wine had the effect of moving Don Miguel into a 
mood of eloquence. 

“Was Senor Burling testing the speed of his 
ship today, or did his guns lack ammunition with 
which to defend himself against the English ship 
4 Argyle?’ ” asked Don Miguel in a jovial manner. 

“That the * Juana’ has greater speed than any 
ship upon this quarter of the sea, is a matter that 
is not disputed, even by the Englisher , 9 9 answered 
Burling, 4 ‘ that her hold contains an abundance of 
ammunition is another fact that no one can contra¬ 
dict; that I offered no opposition to the English 
craft, is a matter which can be explained by say¬ 
ing that I bethought myself to present the oppor¬ 
tunity to Senor Alverez to take the ‘Argyle,’ as 
an easy means of adding an elegant ship to his 
fleet.” 

“And you knew nothing of the peace agree¬ 
ment V 9 asked Miguel Alverez. 

“No, this is the first port that IVe made in 
many moons.” 

“And is Senor Burling aware that his status 
as a pirate in this port is looked upon with dis¬ 
favor? And the presence of his ship in the harbor 
a violation of the terms of peace ? 9 9 

“Havana has always been my home port,” said 
Burling. “Besides, is not the Spanish colors dis¬ 
played from the ‘JuanaV mast?” 


128 


PETER BURLING, PIRATE 


“All very true, Senor Burling, but the English 
commander, Senor Baldrige, who lies with his 
ship at the entrance to the harbor, is demanding 
the release of some English subjects, among whom 
he seems much concerned regarding two women. 
He also requests that you be delivered into his 
hands as a prisoner, to be taken before an English 
tribunal in answer to the charge of piracy upon 
the high seas.” 

“And has he made no offer whereby you would 
share in the handsome reward that is offered for 
my capture?” interrogated Burling. 

“Yes,” answered Miguel Alverez, “the matter 
of the reward has been discussed between Senor 
Baldrige and myself, and it has been agreed 
between us that he is to collect the full amount of 
the gold that is offered, while I, Miguel Alverez, 
am to acquire your fine ship, 1 Juana.’ Do you not 
think that I have driven a good bargain for my¬ 
self, Senor?” Miguel Alverez smiled and shrug¬ 
ged his shoulders, but the element of satire con¬ 
tained in his speech became malignant to the 
ears of Burling. The latter stiffened in his chair 
and looked hard, penetratingly, into the eyes of 
Miguel Alverez. Then after a short interval he 
addressed the Spanish admiral again. 

“Cannot Senor Alverez see that I am return¬ 
ing the girl, Terese, to her household again? And 
understand it as meaning that I expect to deal 
honestly in all other matters also?” 

Don Miguel shrugged his shoulders and spoke 
again. 

“It is of little concern to me what Senor Bur- 
ling’s intentions are. Whether they be good or 
bad, it matters not. As commander of this port I 
have certain duties to perform, and not among 


A TEMPORARY RESPITE 


129 


the least of those duties is one which pertains to 
the dealing with any pirate who may come into 
these waters.” 

4 4 And would Senor Alverez consider a request 
to defer any action for a day or two, in order that 
I. might look after some business matters of con¬ 
siderable importance ? 9 9 Burling concluded his 
question by laying a hand full of gold upon the 
table in front of Miguel Alverez. 

Don Miguel gazed at the yellow metal with 
yearning eyes. He took the coins into his hands 
and computed their value, then set them hack 
upon the table in a neat stack in front of Burling. 

44 ’Tis enough only to give a respite of 
one day,” said Don Miguel with his habitual 
shrug. If Senor Burling requires more time in 
which to look to his business affairs, he shall have 
to double the sum. ’ ’ 

4 4 It is the equal in value to that of which Senor 
Alverez would receive as a month’s pay from the 
Spanish Crown , 9 9 said Burling in a tone of barter. 

4 4 It is not enough. The amount will have to 
be doubled.” Don Miguel was firm in his demand. 

Burling withdrew more gold from his pockets. 
He placed one coin upon another until there stood 
two stacks of equal size upon the table. Miguel 
Alverez took a stack in either hand and thrust 
the yellow metal into his pockets greedily. 

44 Very well, Senor,” he said, 44 I shall defer 
action against you until the expiration of two 
days. Although the Englisher, Baldrige, may be 
impatient, he shall have to wait.” 

Thus by the free use of gold did Burling delay 
the legal process that threatened him from one 
particular quarter. But from one quarter only. 
There were other processes that had developed 


130 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

quickly from the embryonic state into such grave 
proportions as to demand the very considerate 
attention of the pirate chieftain. 

He had scarcely finished dealing with Miguel 
Alverez, when there came among the revelers at 
Payret Tavern, one Fernando Berceo, captain of 
the civil guard of Havana. He at once sought out 
and accosted Burling. 

“Aye, Senor Burling, I’ve come to inquire con¬ 
cerning one of my sentinels who is missing from 
his post near the place where your ship is sta¬ 
tioned. Pedro Herrera is the man’s name. Per¬ 
haps his absence can be explained by Senor Bur¬ 
ling.’ ’ Captain Berceo’s remarks carried an in¬ 
sinuation which was so direct that Burling could 
not mistake its meaning. 

“The man threatened my life, Captain Berceo, 
and I was compelled to defend myself,” answered 
Burling. “He is now quartered aboard my ship 
and no harm shall come to him. ’ ’ 

“His duties are upon the shore, and not upon 
Senor Burling’s ship. You shall answer to me, 
Senor, also concerning the girl Terese. And there 
is yet another matter of great importance. Does 
Senor Burling consent to go peacefully to the 
prison and answer to a charge of piracy?” 

“Aye, Captain, the girl, Terese is here among 
the assemblage, and perhaps she can explain bet¬ 
ter than I, concerning her presence upon my ship. 
As regards your sentinel that is missing, I shall 
turn the man loose when I return to the ‘Juana.’ 
Pertaining to the charge of piracy of which you 
speak, it has been agreed between Miguel Alverez 
and myself that there shall be no action taken for 
a time.” As verifying his words, Burling led 
Captain Berceo into the presence of Miguel Al- 


A TEMPORARY RESPITE 


131 


verez, and the latter explained matters to the 
commander of the civil guard. 

But Captain Berceo was not to be put off so 
easily. He shrugged his shoulders in a manner 
that signified his dissatisfaction. Burling invited 
him to partake of wine, and led him to a secluded 
table. And he, too, like Miguel Alverez, with the 
glitter of gold in his eyes became blind to duty, 
and went his way among his sentinels, and passed 
the word to them that the pirate skipper should go 
unmolested. 

But Peter Burling was not deceived into believ¬ 
ing that his temporary respite was anything more 
than a false security. He knew the fickleness of 
the men with whom he was dealing, and he set 
about to indulge his own cunning in a manner 
that would best serve his purposes and designs. 


XVIII 


Gambling for High Stakes 

The hour was growing late. Burling sought out 
Terese from among the revelers and returned 
with her to his ship. Early on the following 
morning he took the girl and went with her to the 
house of her uncle, Jose Calderon. While the 
elderly Calderon was elated over the return of 
Terese to his household again, his demeanor 
toward Burling became threatening. Obtaining 
a pistol, he was in the act of firing upon the pirate 
when Terese threw herself between the two men. 
After an interval, she succeeded in allaying the 
anger of her uncle to some extent, and explained 
to him how she had gone aboard the pirate ship, 
taking all the blame upon herself, and absolving 
the pirate skipper from all responsibility in the 
affair. 

But Don Jose Calderon’s enmity toward Bur¬ 
ling was not wholly assuaged by the explanations 
of Terese. His manner again became threatening, 
and he gave vent to his wrath by indulging in 
an outburst of vilifying language toward the 
pirate chief. With a desire to avoid if possible 
any violence with the man, Burling bowed politely 
and went his way, trusting in the cleverness of 
Terese to allay the ire of her uncle. 

Burling became busy in many ways. He re¬ 
plenished his ship with a supply of fresh water, 
and spent considerable time in earnest consulta- 
132 


GAMBLING FOR HIGH STAKES 133 


tion with Pedersen, and instructed him to grant 
no shore leave to any of his crew. 

Toward evening a Spanish merchant brig came 
into port and anchored near the pirate ship. Bur¬ 
ling questioned the Spanish skipper and found the 
latter to be seeking a market for a considerable 
number of horses that formed the principal part 
of his cargo. He was invited aboard the pirate 
vessel and indulged freely of the rum that was 
proffered him. Burling fell into a discussion with 
the man concerning the purchase of the horses, 
and after much dickering, a price was agreed 
upon and the full amount in gold was passed into 
the Spanish merchant skipper’s hands. 

When nightfall came again, it found Pedersen 
and the major part of his crew busily engaged in 
effecting a transfer of the horses into the “ Ju¬ 
ana’s” hold. 

The darkness also found Peter Burling again 
wending his way alone, toward Payret Tavern. 
He sought and gained admission to the place. As 
usual, there was much gaiety and music, with 
wine flowing freely. Miguel Alverez was there 
again, in company with Fernando Berceo, of the 
civil guard. The two were spending their gold 
freely, and indulging heavily in wine. Terese 
and her uncle, Jose Calderon, were also present 
among the revelers. 

Burling’s entrance to Payret Tavern attracted 
considerable attention. Those who were un¬ 
friendly to the pirate, indulged in an undercurrent 
of threatening murmurings, but those who were 
friendly received him in a cordial manner. Bur¬ 
ling was accosted by Miguel Alverez. 

“ Would Senor Burling like to chance some of 


134 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

his gold upon the turn of a card V 9 he asked, with 
his inveterate shrug of the shoulders. 

Burling accepted the invitation in a manner of 
politeness, and became seated with Don Miguel. 
They were joined by Fernando Berceo, of the civil 
guard, as the third member of a trio that became 
seated at a secluded table. The stakes were played 
heavy from the start. Miguel Alverez placed his 
bets with reckless abandon, as did also his col¬ 
league, Berceo. 

Burling won quite easily. He played a careful 
consistent game, and pulled stack after stack of 
the yellow metal to his own side of the table. 
With such regularity did he win, that finally Mi¬ 
guel Alverez and his companion, Berceo, had no 
more gold to wager. The great sum that had been 
passed into their hands by Burling on the previous 
night, went back again into the pockets of the 
pirate chief. The goddess of chance had smiled 
upon him and he chuckled with satisfaction at his 
good fortune. 

“Aye, Senors, the gold can be likened unto the 
tide. It goes out and leaves our pockets as clean 
as the sands of the beach, but flows back again in 
time, so strong that we become burdened by the 
weight of it. ’Tis the way with the fortune of 
chance, like the winds of the sea, as of yesterday 
they were adverse, and today our sails, like our 
pockets, become well fi]led. ,, 

Burlings words were followed in action by tak¬ 
ing the last of the yellow coins from the table and 
placing them in his pockets. He shifted the posi¬ 
tion of his seat in a manner as indicating his inten¬ 
tion of quitting the table. 

“Wait,” said Miguel Alverez. “Does Senor 
Burling seek to quit the game so soon?” 


GAMBLING FOR HIGH STAKES 135 


“There is no gold upon tlie table,” returned the 
pirate. 

“Ah, Senor,” spoke Alverez again, with his 
customary shrug, “the game has only progressed 
to the point where the stakes are to be increased . 9 9 

Burling looked at Miguel Alverez in a puzzled 
manner. 

“And the two hombre’s have more gold to 
wager?” he asked. 

“Ah, Senor, we have its equivalent,” began 
Don Miguel again. “As the highest officers of the 
Spanish Crown in this part of the world, Captain 
Berceo and myself hold in our power things, that, 
computed in terms of gold would make a hand¬ 
some sum. With us, Senor, rests the power and 
authority of deciding upon your fate in regard 
to the charges that stand against you. In fact, we 
reached a decision just before you came into Pay- 
ret Tavern. To all of the charges you are deemed 
guilty. Concerning the girl Terese, there awaits 
for you a prison term of ten years, which is a 
small matter compared to the offense of piracy 
for which we fix the penalty at death. And your 
beautiful ship is acquired by myself. And for 
delivering you to Senor Baldrige it has been 
agreed that the English reward shall go to Cap¬ 
tain Berceo. True, we have no more gold to place 
upon the table, but we hold your fate in our 
hands, and we will wager that upon the turn 
of a card.” 

Burling sat up with an alert tenseness. A scowl 
came over his features and his hands clutched 
hard upon the edge of the mahogany table at 
which he sat. His jaws became firmly set, as if 
indicating the fierceness of an inner mood. 


136 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

‘ i Name the rules by which the game shall be 
played, Senor,” said Burling with a snarl. 

‘ 1 First/ ’ began Miguel Alverez, “you shall 
place all the gold that is contained in your pockets 
upon the table as a wager. If the card is in your 
favor, you retain the gold and the prison sentence 
is canceled. If the card is in my favor, then the 
gold comes to me and the prison sentence stands 
unchanged.’ 9 

The music at Payret Tavern ceased temporarily, 
and the revelers gathered about the table where 
the three men were seated. There was an atmos¬ 
phere of intense quietude about the place, and all 
interest became centered upon the gamblers. 

‘ 4 Secondly , 99 continued Miguel Alverez, “your 
body and your life shall be the stakes, Senor.” 

“Against what in value, as expressed in terms 
of gold?” questioned Burling. 

“Against the ship, 4 Juana/ which must be con¬ 
sidered as my property, and computed in value as 
being equal to the weight of your body in gold. 
As you would likely tip the beam at two hundred¬ 
weight, for each pound of flesh that your body 
contains, I will match its value in gold. Pound 
for pound, Senor, a pound of gold to each pound 
of flesh. Shall we proceed with the game, 
Senor?” 

“Does Senor Alverez agree that the cards shall 
be dealt by someone who holds no interest in 
the game?” asked Burling. 

“Quite so, Senor, we shall choose some disinter¬ 
ested party.” Miguel Alverez’ gaze swept the 
rim of faces that circled about the table. “There’s 
the girl, Terese, whose honesty is quite in keeping 
with her beauty and virtue. I choose her to turn 
the cards for us.” 


GAMBLING FOR HIGH STAKES 137 


“I agree upon her also. Let as proceed,’’ said 
Burling, as he piled his great heap of gold upon 
the table. 

# Terese was summoned, and took up her posi¬ 
tion, standing at an unoccupied space beside the 
table, facing Captain Berceo, with Burling and 
Alverez on either side of her. She protested 
against the action of the men in choosing her to 
deal the cards. 

“ ’Tis a horrid thing, Senors,” she said in a 
quavering voice, “to be dealing when there are 
such heavy stakes to be gambled. I am not sure 
that I shall be equal to the task.” 

But Miguel Alverez insisted, as did Burling 
also, and, after instructing her in the manner by 
which she should deal, the cards were passed into 
her hands. 

“We shall play first concerning the prison 
sentence and the gold that lies before us,” said 
Miguel Alverez addressing the pirate. 

“ ’Tis agreed,” answered Burling. 

With trembling fingers, palsied by the deep in¬ 
ward emotions that were quaking her very soul, 
Terese began laying the cards upon the table, 
singly, one card in front of Alverez, and one in 
front of Burling, successively until the fifth card 
going to Alverez was turned face upward. Then 
slowly, with shaking hands, and as if summoning 
all her effort, Terese turned Burling’s fifth card 
face upward also in front of him, and it was a high 
winning card. 

To Terese there came a certain sense of relief. 
Burling smiled upon her, and with a sweeping 
movement of his hands raked the gold closer in 
front of him. 

“You have done well, Terese,” he said. “If 


138 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

you can turn up another winning card for me, this 
pile of gold shall be yours. ’ , 

“And if I do not turn a winning card, what 
then, Master Burling?” 

Burling smiled but made no response to the 
girl. 

“We shall play now for the great stakes, 
Senor, ,, said Miguel Alverez, who seemed to be 
impatient to proceed. 

“Very well, let us proceed,’* and Burling 
nodded to Terese, who began laying the cards 
upon the table again, the first card to Burling, the 
second to Alverez, following in this order until 
the fifth card for the pirate was turned face up. 
Terese hesitated for a moment, raised her face 
heavenward and made the sign of the cross. Then 
turned Alverez’ fifth card face upward in front 
of him. And it was a high winning card. Bur¬ 
ling had lost! 

A look of horror came upon the features of 
Terese. The full consequence of her action dawned 
upon her. She was drawn into an affair of 
gambling whereby a man’s life had been wagered 
as the equivalent of a certain sum of gold, and 
that man was the idol whom she worshiped. His 
fate had hinged upon the turn of a card; she had 
turned that card, and read its meaning—death to 
the man she loved at the hands of a firing squad! 

The thought was too much for Terese. A shud¬ 
der of horror came into her soul. The twin ogres, 
gloom and despair, took possession of her, casting 
blackened shadows across her mind, and she 
lurched forward and sank face downward upon 
the table in front of the gamblers. 

A wave of emotional utterances swept through 
the witnessing throng, as their eyes became riv- 


GAMBLING FOR HIGH STAKES 139 


eted upon the girl and the three men at the table. 
Jose Calderon, Terese’s uncle, surged his way 
to the front of the crowd, and with the assistance 
of some of the feminine members of the assembled 
group, he raised the girl to her feet and was in 
the act of leaving the place with her, when he 
was interrupted by Miguel Alverez. 

“Hold, Senor Calderon, Terese has turned a 
winning card for me, and I wish to reward her 
with a kiss.” Alverez, red eyed from heavy in¬ 
dulgence in liquor, arose from his seat and was 
in the act of embracing the semi-conscious girl, 
when a heavy hand was laid upon his shoulder and 
he was jerked back. 

“Your lips are unfit to touch those of an in¬ 
nocent girl like Terese,” said Burling, who had 
spun Alverez to a half turn, and the two men stood 
facing each other. 

A gleam of hate came into Alverez 9 eyes, and 
his hand dropped toward his belt where hung a 
heavy pistol. His motive was discerned by Bur¬ 
ling, who, with a quick cat-like movement caught 
Alverez’ hand in a firm grasp, and held it like a 
vise. 

It was at this particular moment that Burling 
gave a display of his great physical strength. 
Holding Miguel Alverez’ hand in his own, the 
pirate tightened his grasp with all the strength 
that he possessed. So powerful was his grip that 
the breaking and dislocating of the small bones 
of Alverez’ hand became plainly audible, like the 
crushing of an egg shell. Alverez winced, and 
emitted a howl of pain. Captain Berceo rose from 
his seat with a drawn pistol, but found himself 
covered by the gun of one of Burling’s friends, an 
ex-pirate. 


140 


PETER BURLING, PIRATE 


A storm of violence threatened, but soon be¬ 
came allayed when the doors of Payret Tavern 
swung open and a stream of Spanish sentinels— 
Berceo’s own men—poured into the place. Bur¬ 
ling was quickly surrounded by these men, and 
found himself encircled with a ring of steel bay¬ 
onets. Resistance was futile. 

The pirate was marched out again into the 
night, and lodged in the Provincial prison. Terese, 
with her uncle, sought the seclusion of the Cal¬ 
deron household, and the revelry at Payret Tav¬ 
ern was resumed. 

With the pirate skipper safely lodged behind 
prison walls, Miguel Alverez and his colleague, 
Berceo, took themselves again to Payret Tavern, 
and indulged further in wine. The circumstances 
by which the two had connived the pirate’s un¬ 
doing, was an event that appealed to them as 
worthy of being celebrated in a manner by par¬ 
taking freely of liquor. Glass after glass of the 
exhilarating fluid was raised and drunk until the 
two became groggy. Thus with their bodies 
steeped in liquor, their minds became imbued with 
the thought to return to the prison where they 
could gloat upon the pirate’s discomfiture in his 
presence. Then together, with unsteady step, 
they made their way to the place where Burling 
was confined. 

With much bravado, Berceo took the keys from 
the sentry who stood guard over the place, and 
dismissed the man for the night. It was then that 
Berceo and Alverez entered the prison and in¬ 
dulged themselves in tantalizing the pirate skip¬ 
per with mocking speech. 

“Has Senor Burling anything remaining of 
value that he would care to chance upon the turn 


GAMBLING FOR HIGH STAKES 141 


of a card?” Miguel Alverez’s words were mut¬ 
tered in a tone of insulting mockery, followed by 
his inevitable shrug of the shoulders, and an out¬ 
burst of fiendish laughter. “For this,” Senor 
Alverez displayed his badly swollen right hand in 
front of Burling, 4 ‘ you shall pay with your life at 
the rise of another sun. Ah—even more—you 
shall be put to the torture—the bones of your body 
shall be broken, as you have broken the bones of 
my hand—and for each pound of flesh that your 
body contains, will you be struck thrice with the 
flat side of a sabre. ’ f 

Thus in this manner did Alverez and Berceo 
spew their drunken invective upon their pirate 
prisoner until they became weary. Finally, Al¬ 
verez departed from the place and went his way 
toward Payret Tavern, to indulge further in drink 
and revelry, leaving Bereco alone, as the sole 
guard at the prison. 


XIX 


Burling Escapes from Prison 

The night wore on, and with the exception of the 
usual gaiety at Payret Tavern, and perhaps the 
lazy tread of a drowsy sentry, the city slept. 
From the ancient tower of Colon church came the 
single toll of a bell, announcing the time as being 
- one hour past midnight. 

Into a darkened street that wound its way 
toward the provincial jail, there came a silent 
hooded figure, moving like a shadow, stealthily, 
cautiously, and with noiseless tread. 

Reaching a point of contact with the outer walls 
of the prison, the silent figure held close to the 
shadows and moved even more cautiously, until it 
came to an arched entrance. There it came to a 
halt, and cast quick alert glances about, as if to 
determine the likelihood of the presence of other 
beings in the immediate neighborhood. There was 
no one in sight, and the phantom-like creature 
moved quickly through the prison archway, then 
halted as if to reconnoiter the place from the 
inside. Then moved again, farther along the 
prison corridor, into a sort of rotunda, from the 
center of which a hanging lamp cast its yellow 
rays upon the intruding figure, disclosing the 
same to be none other than Terese. 

In front of her, and directly under the lamp, sat 
Captain Berceo at a table, with his head pillowed 
upon his arms, in a drunken stupor. Terese 
studied the man for several moments, then ad- 
142 


BURLING ESCAPES FROM PRISON 143 

vanced closer. Because of Berceo’s heavy breath¬ 
ing and the fumes of liquor that pervaded the air 
about him, Terese at once surmised the man’s 
maudlin condition. She moved even closer, and 
finally came alongside of him. A heavy pistol 
hung from a belt at his hip. With the same 
stealth with which she had come into the place, 
and with deft but trembling hands she removed 
the pistol from its holster. She next shifted her 
position to the opposite side of the table, facing 
Berceo, who still slept. 

She surveyed the man closely. Her eyes be¬ 
came riveted upon his right hand, which lay 
cupped over a bunch of prison keys upon the table. 
With a very cautious movement she touched the 
keys with her fingers, and began drawing them 
from beneath Berceo’s hand, ever so gently, but 
withal not gently enough. Berceo stirred himself 
drowsily, and, rather subconsciously, tightened his 
grasp upon the keys. Terese drew back sharply 
and stared hard at the man. Berceo raised his 
head and straightened up in his seat. He gazed 
about in an uncertain manner and brushed his 
hand over his face and eyes as if to wipe away the 
mists from his blurred faculties. 

Finally his eyes came to rest upon the figure 
of Terese at the opposite side of the table. He 
stared vacantly at the girl for a moment, but soon 
set himself into deeper concentration concerning 
the puzzling problem of her presence at the prison. 
He noted the fact that the girl held a pistol in her 
hand, then fumbled at his belt, and looked down 
with surprise at the empty holster that hung at 
his side. 

“What does this mean, Terese?” inquired he, 
in an apprehensive tone. 


144 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

i * Please throw the keys to this side of the table, 
Senor, and raise your hands high above your 
head, then I shall explain.’’ 

There was a note of sternness in Terese r s voice, 
and her whole demeanor bespoke of a grim de¬ 
termination. Berceo hesitated, his manner indi¬ 
cating that he wanted to quibble with the girl. 

“Have you lost your way in the darkness, Te¬ 
rese, and do you seek shelter here for the night? 
If so, you are quite welcome, and I shall enjoy 
your company very much. Please be seated. We 
are alone, and there is no one to interfere, if I 
shall turn the light down-” 

Berceo’s words were cut short by the threaten¬ 
ing attitude of Terese. She brought the heavy 
pistol to play on a direct line with his breast. 
He still hesitated. She pulled the pistol ham¬ 
mer back with an audible click. 

“Please toss me the keys and lead the way to 
Master Burling’s cell. Do not hesitate, for I am 
very nervous, and may fire prematurely. ’ ’ 

There was a grim note of seriousness in the 
girl’s words and manner that Berceo did not fail 
to heed. He tossed the prison keys to her side of 
the table, rose from his seat and reluctantly led 
the way along the jail corridor to the particular 
cell wherein the pirate skipper was confined. 

Warning Berceo that she would fire upon him if 
he offered the slightest pretext at resistance, 
Terese slipped a key into the lock of Burling’s 
cell and turned the bolt. 

Although the pirate was surprised by the sud¬ 
den appearance of the two, he was not slow to 
act. Scarcely had the bolt of his cell slid back 
when he burst out into the corridor and fell upon 
Berceo. Then followed a brief struggle. Very 


BURLING ESCAPES FROM PRISON 145 


brief, for the pirate was in a fighting mood, a 
mood which had come to him earlier in the night 
from the taunts of Alverez and Berceo. 

His assault upon Berceo was unmerciful. After 
choking the man until he was black in the face, he 
threw him against the corridor wall with resound¬ 
ing force. Then standing his man up directly in 
front of the open cell, he drove home a punch to 
the jaw with such appalling force that Berceo’s 
body was raised completely from the floor, and he 
fell into the cell with a sickening thud. 

Throwing the cell door shut, he turned to the 
girl who stood speechless and half terrified by the 
fierce violence with which the pirate had dealt 
vengeance upon the captain of the civil guard. 
Taking the keys from the girl, Burling turned the 
bolt in the cell door, and the two made their way 
out into the darkness, leaving Captain Berceo in¬ 
carcerated in his own prison. 

Burling felt grateful to Terese for the part she 
had played in effecting his release, but he was 
still beset by many hazards that gave him much 
concern. There remained but a few hours until 
the rise of another sun, when the city should be 
awake, and Berceo’s sentinels would likely be 
making preparations to stand the pirate skipper 
against a stone wall. 

There was little time for action on the part 
of Burling, and he was forced to make a quick 
decision concerning his own safety. Accompanied 
by Terese he made his way promptly back to his 
ship and aroused the crew. 

As the only course open to him, Burling 
decided to undertake the risk of running the 
gauntlet of Spanish war ships that lay at anchor 
just outside the harbor—an almost impossible 


146 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

feat to perform in open daylight, but at this lonely 
hour of the night, the element of chance could be 
looked upon as not entirely without hope in the 
success of such a venture. 

Preparations were soon made for an immediate 
departure. With little noise, but withal much 
alacrity, the “ Juana’s” sails were unfurled to the 
breezes of the night, and she began to move slowly 
from her anchorage. 

Pedro Herrera, the sentinel who had threatened 
Burling when the latter had first put out upon 
the shore, was released from irons and brought 
upon the open deck. The pirate held the bunch 
of prison keys in front of Herrera. 

4 ‘You may tell your Captain Berceo that he will 
find the keys to his prison in this ten fathom 
of water and sharks.” Here Burling tossed the 
keys overboard into the water. “And to you, my 
man, I offer the opportunity to dive after them.” 
Burling gave a threatening step toward the late 
sentinel, but Pedro Herrera slid quickly over the 
“Juana’s” side and disappeared into the dark¬ 
ened waters. 

A moderately stiff wind filled the “Juana’s” 
sails, and she moved at a more rapid gait, down 
through the narrow neck of water that formed the 
outlet to the harbor. There was no moon, but 
the dim outline of Miguel Alverez ’ fleet of a dozen 
ships soon became discernible, laying peacefully 
at anchor, with their crews in silent slumber. 

While the pirate’s plan of escape could be con¬ 
sidered as quite bold, he was in no mood to pass 
Don Miguel’s ships by without inflicting some 
damage upon them. All of the “Juana’s” guns 
were uncovered and placed in readiness for action. 
Alverez ’ own ship lay at anchor in a position to be 


BURLING ESCAPES FROM PRISON 147 


passed on the pirate’s larboard side, and at 
a cable’s length further along on his starboard 
side lay the English ship “Argyle,” commanded 
by Baldrige. 

Burling held the “Juana’s” course at an equal 
distance between the two, and when he came op¬ 
posite the Spanish Admiral’s craft, a broadside 
was fired upon it. It was a good range, and as the 
pirate had instructed his gunners to fire low upon 
the ship, there was no doubt that considerable 
damage had been inflicted. 

Hardly had the echoes of the firing died away, 
when, also from the starboard side of his ship, the 
pirate loosed his guns with another broadside 
upon the English vessel. General disorder 
reigned among the crews upon Alverez’ ships. 
Excited voices, shouting outbursts of anathemas 
became audible to those aboard the pirate craft, 
and Burling chuckled in a rather gloating manner 
at the discomfiture of his late enemies, and the 
probable success of his bold adventure. 

The Spanish fleet was taken completely by sur¬ 
prise, as was Baldrige also, and there was little 
of organized effort in resisting the pirate’s escape. 
Alverez himself was at that very moment still at 
Payret Tavern, indulging in the drunken orgies 
of the place, and his subordinates would take 
no action without him. 

Although Baldrige was soon busy in hasty 
preparation to give chase to the pirate vessel, he 
refrained from putting out to sea without first 
making a careful examination of the possible 
damage that had been inflicted upon his ship. 

When the full brightness of morning came 
again, the city of Havana became awake to many 
events of quite exciting interest; and its inhabi- 


148 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

tants were agog with gossip concerning the inci¬ 
dents and occurrences that had transpired during 
the night. 

The pirate had made good his escape; and the 
sails of his vessel could yet he seen like a small 
white fleck upon a background of blue. The Eng¬ 
lish ship “Argyle,” though considerably late, was 
putting out in pursuit. Miguel Alverez 9 own ship 
was listing badly from the wounds she had re¬ 
ceived from the pirate’s guns, and Don Miguel 
himself was being rowed about in a small boat. 
Withal, he presented a very dejected appearance 
with his injured hand swollen like a cauliflower, 
and we might add that his head was also swollen 
from heavy indulgence in liquor. At any rate, 
Don Miguel made a general survey of the situa¬ 
tion, and finally came to the conclusion that his 
fleet should remain at anchor, then went his way 
again into the city, and sought his much-battered 
friend, Berceo, who had been liberated from his 
own prison, and with considerable boasting and 
much shrugging of shoulders, they made their way 
once more to Payret Tavern. 


XX 


The “ Juana’s” Last Cruise 

Although Baldrige set out in pursuit, he en¬ 
tertained but scant hope of overtaking the pirate. 
The latter was in full flight upon the open sea, and 
was possessed of a ship which, concerning her 
fleetness there existed no doubt that she was 
equal, if not superior, to any vessel afloat in that 
particular part of the sea. 

For the remainder of the day, Baldrige man¬ 
aged to keep in sight of the “ Juana’s’’ fading 
sails, but when night came, to he followed by 
another day, there was no sign of a sail from any 
quarter. The pirate had disappeared as com¬ 
pletely as if he had been swallowed up by the sea. 
Baldrige was puzzled. He was at a loss to deter¬ 
mine upon what course to lay his vessel. He fell 
to a conjectured deduction concerning the prob¬ 
able maneuvers that Burling would be likely to 
make, but withal he found himself further per¬ 
plexed and unable to determine upon a systematic 
course to be followed in again apprehending the 
pirate. 

Hay after day, and week after week, the young 
English naval commander scoured the sea in every 
direction, but no trace of Peter Burling could be 
found. Every island of the West Indian group 
was visited by Baldrige, who made searching in¬ 
quiry, but learned of no clue concerning the pirate. 
Finally, weary and disappointed in his search, 


150 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

Baldrige set the “Argyle’s” course toward his 
home port in the American Colonies. 

The futility of Baldrige ’s search may be under¬ 
stood by explaining the movements of the pirate. 
Havana, the last friendly port, had turned against 
him now, and there was no harbor of any im¬ 
portance into which Burling could take refuge 
without being hunted by men who sought his 
destruction. Though he was equipped with an 
excellent ship, and perhaps could have maintained 
his freedom for a considerable length of time, 
yet, finally, he could not hope to stand out in¬ 
definitely against the great odds of the superior 
numbers of English, Spanish and French ships, 
all of whom would be everlastingly seeking his 
capture. 

Peter Burling was wise enough to foresee the 
doom that awaited him should he continue his 
piratical career. Bred, bom and reared in an 
atmosphere of seafaring, he now faced the al¬ 
ternative of giving up his head as a prize, or 
quitting the sea altogether. Bitterly, though 
logically he chose the latter course. Convinced 
in his own mind as to the wisdom of his decision 
to quit the sea, he was not slow in formulating 
plans to take refuge upon the land. 

As being accustomed to the use of a wide ex¬ 
panse of blue water for his activities, it occurred 
to Burling in a rather appealing manner that in 
his forced choice of becoming a landsman, he 
would prefer a wide expanse of land also upon 
which to embark in his new adventure. He was 
not obliged to seek for long in quest of such a 
place, for the great desert of American wilder¬ 
ness lay near at hand, and beckoned to him. 

The first night out in his flight from Havana, 


THE “JUANA’S” LAST CRUISE 151 


found his vessel anchored in a secluded cove ad¬ 
jacent to the Florida jungles, and there he re¬ 
mained for a whole day. When night came again 
he moved out of the cove and held a course that 
led easterly along the coast. 

Burling and Pedersen demonstrated their skill 
as mariners by successfully maneuvering their 
craft by night only, holding close to the shore line, 
and the break of each dawn for five successive 
mornings found the “Juana” anchored in some 
secluded spot along the eastward course of the 
coastwise journey. 

On the morning of the fifth landing, Burling 
took a number of men with firearms and recon- 
noitered the territory adjacent to the landing. 
For his purposes and designs his survey of the 
surrounding points of land was evidently unsatis¬ 
factory; for, returning to his vessel late in the 
afternoon, he immediately began preparations to 
resume again his journey further eastward along 
the Atlantic coast. 

There followed two more nights of silent cruis¬ 
ing, when at daybreak again the “Juana’s” bow 
was brought squarely into the mouth of a small 
river. She went in on the crest of the tide and 
was soon moored among a canopy of water maples, 
whose overhanging boughs mingled with her 
masts and sails, partially hiding her from the view 
of the open sea. With an escort of men, Burling 
went ashore again for purposes of reconnoitering; 
and when he returned late in the day, apprised 
his companions of his intention to disembark and 
move inland. 


CHAPTER XXI 

The Settlement in the Wilderness 

The ensuing days were marked by the intense 
activity of Burling and his crew in making prepa¬ 
rations for an advance northward into the wilds 
of an uncharted forest. There was much labor 
to be performed before an actual advance could 
be made. Great stores of provisions were to be 
unloaded, as well as ammunition, light firearms, 
and horses. The “Juana’s’’ small boats were to 
be utilized also in the conveyance of goods north¬ 
ward along the stream in which the ship lay 
moored. 

Burling was not given to blundering. He fully 
realized the great hazards that would possibly be 
encountered upon his new adventure, and he ac¬ 
cordingly exerted himself in the perfecting of 
such plans as he deemed necessary in matters of 
protection. With a formidable force of armed 
men, a heavy supply of provisions and cloth, pack- 
horses and small boats, all in readiness for a start 
to be made, the pirate cavalcade finally moved, 
slowly northward along the stream, toward the 
heart of the wilderness. 

The last act to be performed by Burling previ¬ 
ous to his entrance into the forest was the destruc¬ 
tion of his ship. With the exception of a small 
piece of canvas that was left hanging to a mast 
for purposes of maneuvering her, the “ Juana V’ 


SETTLEMENT IN THE WILDERNESS 153 


sails were dismantled to be put into use as tents 
on the journey inland. 

At a time when the tide had reached its highest 
point and was starting to ebb, the ship was ma¬ 
neuvered to a position with her bow pointing sea¬ 
ward. The small sail was set at such an angle as 
to give some impetus to her movement and she 
was placed to the torch. 

As the tide began to ebb slowly, so also did the 
“Juana’’ begin to move gently seaward. Her 
helm had been tied to a neutral position, and she 
held a straight course toward the open sea. Al¬ 
though there was no living soul aboard her, she 
moved with the same grace as if Burling or Peder¬ 
sen themselves had been at her helm. 

The pirate stood motionless as a statue, watch¬ 
ing his majestic ship going to her destruction. 
Smoke began pouring from her port-holes in great 
volume, and she finally burst into a raging flame 
from stem to stern. 

Burling was not immune to human sentiment. 
As he gazed at the burning ship, a great choking 
lump rose up in his throat, followed by an emo¬ 
tional heave of his heavy chest. His gaze was 
set toward his beloved “ Juana,’’ yet he saw her 
not, because there had sprung into his eyes the 
mists of falling tears. He felt a gentle tug at his 
arm, and heard an even gentler voice addressing 
him. 

“Come, sir, Pedersen and the main body are a 
mile in advance of us. ,, Terese took his hand in 
both her own, and though he made no reply to 
her words, he turned and followed the girl with 
the simplicity of a child, back into the forest. 

The “ Juana” burned to the water line, and like 
the “Essex,” became a derelict, floating about the 


154 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

open sea, a charred hulk, drifting with the tides, 
adding but another mystery to the secrets of the 
deep. 

The pirate’s advance into the forest was neces¬ 
sarily slow. The transport of a heavy supply of 
provisions and other common necessities was a 
burdensome task, and a whole day’s journey sel¬ 
dom exceeded a dozen miles. With pack horses 
heavily laden it became necessary at not infre¬ 
quent intervals, that passageways had to be cut 
through the dense shrubbery that grew beside 
the stream that was being followed northward. 
The movement by small boats was comparatively 
easy, as there was little resistance in this par¬ 
ticular quarter except from the current of the 
stream itself. 

As there existed no particular occasion for a 
hasty advance, the pirate caravan moved lei¬ 
surely, but steadily, and with orderly regularity. 
The setting of the each evening’s sun brought a 
halt to the caravan and the establishment of a 
camp for the night, to be followed on each suc¬ 
ceeding day by a farther advance. 

The hardships undergone by the women were 
lessened considerably by the use of the 44 Juana’s” 
small boats, which served not only as a quite 
comfortable means of travel but as a conveyance 
also of no small quantity of provisions. 

The boats were manned by members of the 
pirate crew who had been selected for their par¬ 
ticular skill in such matters. Drake—former com¬ 
mander of the 44 Essex”—had charge of one of the 
boats. But the Reverend Strang made his way by 
land, moving along the banks of the stream with 
the main body of Burling’s men. 

The pirate himself held to the water, and was 


SETTLEMENT IN THE WILDEENESS 155 


accompanied by Terese. Pedersen likewise 
manned a small boat. He was accompanied by 
both Cecille and Alice Hull, and peculiarly enough, 
as it might seem, the boat that conveyed the trio 
along the stream, was the same in which the pirate 
mate had been cast adrift upon the sea, formerly 
belonging to the English ship ‘ ‘ Argyle,’ ’ a circum¬ 
stance that might have come to pass either by 
chance, or by choice on the part of Pedersen. But 
it may be surmised, however, that he must have 
deemed the little craft as being quite seaworthy, 
since he had so lately been its sole occupant in 
riding out a storm at sea. 

It was the same small boat in which the English 
Major, Billingsly, had directed his subordinate 
officer, Baldrige, to impose a slow and tortuous 
death upon the pirate mate. But the edicts of 
these men were at variance with the decrees of 
Fate. Pedersen was very much alive. The boat 
that was intended as being the means of his death 
was yet afloat, and occupied by the two beautiful 
women whom the two English officers loved. 
Withal one of these women, Cecille Hull, was look¬ 
ing upon Pedersen with a certain manner of ad¬ 
miration as he drove the little craft hard against 
the current, and she marveled at his strength. 

There was no doubt in the minds of either Bil¬ 
lingsly or Baldrige that Pedersen had gone to his 
death in the manner which they had intended that 
he should, for as yet they had no knowledge of 
the mate’s rescue at sea, all of which serves only 
to illustrate the peculiarly strange turn of Fate. 

The pirate cavalcade moved onward until the 
stream became forked by two separate branches. 
The small boats were drawn upon the shore and 
abandoned at this point, as being useless on ac- 


156 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

count of the rocky shallowness of the water and 
the swiftly-moving currents. From this point 
the caravan moved as a whole upon the land, 
burrowing their way deeper and deeper into the 
forest. 

The objects of Burling’s extended advance may 
be understood as having a twofold purpose— 
first, as a defensive measure, the pirate designed 
to lay a wide expanse of land between himself and 
his late enemies by the sea. Secondly, when a fa¬ 
vorable territory should be found, Burling’s in¬ 
tentions were to establish a permanent camp, or 
settlement. 

He was an ambitious leader of men, and en¬ 
tertained the hope of establishing a sort of inland 
empire of his own. He was yet possessed of a 
considerable amount of gold, and the great un¬ 
charted tracts of wild country offered an oppor¬ 
tunity to acquire an abundance of land. Thus 
in time, we find the pirate skipper halted and 
establishing himself in permanent quarters in the 
heart of the Blue Ridge mountain range. 

The particular location of his new abode was 
selected by the pirate for the natural advantages 
that the place offered in matters of seclusion and 
defense, consisting of a tract of land set among 
rugged walls of stone, with but a single narrow 
entrance, and as described in the opening chap¬ 
ter of this narrative as the Valley of Silence—a 
place of rare beauty, set high among the lofty 
range that rolled away to the north and to the 
south in majestic grandeur. 

With their long journey at an end, the pirate 
crew faced the laborious task of erecting buildings 
for a permanent abode. Trees were felled and 
hewn into shapes which, when fitted together 


SETTLEMENT IN THE WILDERNESS 157 


formed quite substantial buildings. A dozen of 
these structures were erected on a shoulder of 
land that lay directly adjacent to the single 
entrance to the Valley of Silence, and just out¬ 
side the valley itself. 

As being considerably larger than the main 
group of buildings, a long structure consisting of 
several rooms was built, and occupied jointly by 
Burling, Strang, Cecille and Alice Hull, and Mol- 
bech and Terese. A single room of this building 
was set aside for the storage of provisions, while 
yet another compartment was acquired by Bur¬ 
ling as his private quarters, which of course was 
not so luxurious in appointment as the quarters he 
had maintained aboard the “Juana,” but withal 
quite comfortable, inasmuch as the tidy hand of 
Terese had made it so. 

That the pirate skipper entertained a certain 
high regard for the Reverend Strang, was evi¬ 
denced when, at the solicitation of the latter, Bur¬ 
ling caused to be erected another building aside 
from the main group, to be used by Strang as an 
edifice in which he could exercise his talents in di¬ 
vine worship. Given the choice of selecting a site 
upon which the crude edifice should be built, 
Strang chose upon a plot of ground that lay abut¬ 
ting squarely against a huge stone which stood 
at a height of approximately fifty feet, and which 
was split asunder by a crevice that ran perpen¬ 
dicular to its entire height. Strang’s reason for 
having his church erected upon this particular 
plot of ground may be understood by his own 
words: 

“I choose upon this site, Master Burling, be¬ 
cause of the likeness of yonder stone to the rock 
of Calvary.” 


158 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

In due time the church was complete and Strang 
dedicated it with the name 4 4 Calvary.’ ’ Thus was 
established a mountain settlement which later 
came to he known also by the name 4 4 Calvary. ” 

Strang was elated to find himself in possession 
of a new church, and with no restrictions placed 
upon the free exercise of his divine duties. Al¬ 
though the place was isolated in a sparsely-settled 
region, he nevertheless became imbued with the 
buoyant hope of doing much good by spreading 
his doctrine among the very men with whom he 
found himself associated. Pirates withal, but, in 
the words of the divine, 4 4 Men of fine calibre who 
were in need of guidance in matters pertaining to 
spiritual truths. ’ 1 

Then by the precepts of his earnest teachings, 
Strang came to be honored and respected by 
these men. He was firm in his beliefs, and when 
expounding his Gospel he loved to dwell at length 
upon the story of the Cross. 

So sincere and enthusiastic was he concerning 
the history of the Crucifixion, that he fashioned 
with his own hands three wooden crosses, and set 
them firmly at the base of the large stone against 
which his church had been built. Thus did he 
satisfy his zeal by giving his place of worship a 
setting that was quite in keeping with his fancy. 

With his labor finished, and the three wooden 
crosses set in position against the stone, in full 
view of any who might pass that way, Strang 
summoned his companions to assemble at the 
place, and with impressive ceremony read to them 
concerning the Crucifixion of the Savior, laying 
particular stress upon the words of the passage 
that read: 44 And when they were come down to 
the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, 


SETTLEMENT IN THE WILDERNESS 159 


with the two malefactors, one on the right hand 
and the other on the left.” 

So in this manner Strang made his influence 
felt in strengthening the morale of the entire set¬ 
tlement, though his plan was somewhat at vari¬ 
ance with Burling’s methods of sustaining the 
morale of his men by the daily issuing of rum, a 
custom that had prevailed upon his ship. 

The new mountain colony settled itself down to 
the employment of such pursuits as were custom¬ 
ary at that particular period. Patches of land 
were cleared and thrown into cultivation. The 
forest itself abounded with game, which was 
hunted when required for food, but not wantonly 
slaughtered. 

Calvary’s inhabitants numbered more than a 
hundred souls who gradually adjusted themselves 
to their new environment, and there existed little 
or no dissatisfaction among the entire colony. 
Aside from the necessary routine tasks to be per¬ 
formed daily, there yet remained considerable 
time in which the men were free to indulge them¬ 
selves in recreation and amusement. 

Strang busied himself with his preaching and 
the study of his books. And having a fair knowl¬ 
edge of medicine, Molbech applied himself in look¬ 
ing to the health of the settlement. Alice and 
Terese found much pleasure in making frequent 
excursions into the Valley of Silence, where grew 
an abundance of wild flowers, and not infrequently 
they were accompanied by Burling, who bestowed 
an equal courtesy upon the two young women. 

The rustic splendor of the Valley of Silence 
served also as an attractive lure to Cecille Hull. 
Her daily visits to the place in company with 
Pedersen gave rise to much gossip throughout 


160 


PETER BURLING, PIRATE 


“Calvary’' settlement. That the rumors concern¬ 
ing the two were not entirely without foundation 
became evident when there came finally an an¬ 
nouncement by Strang of the engagement of the 
couple. 

Cecille Hull herself had gone to the clergyman 
and confessed her love for the pirate mate. She 
had discussed the matter at length with Strang. 
As having been closely associated with her in 
other days, back in old Bradbury, Strang knew 
something of the fond attachment that had for¬ 
merly existed between the comely Cecille and Ma¬ 
jor Billingsly. 

That her love for Billingsly had waned, only to 
be freshened anew in her ardent admiration for 
Pedersen, was a situation not clearly understood 
by Strang. He was puzzled by the strange turn 
of affairs, and, by long acquaintance with the 
noble woman, he felt himself at liberty to question 
her candidly. 

“Are you quite sure that you know your own 
mind in this matter, Cecille?” Strang's question 
was quite open and frank. 

“I am quite sure, sir,” answered Cecille, no 
less frankly. “It is a question I've asked myself 
a hundred times. I've searched my soul for the 
reason of my actions. I've compared the quali¬ 
ties of the two men that have come into my life. 
I've analyzed their traits—studied their very 
souls—over and over again in my mind, and in 
striking a balance of comparative values in the 
human qualities of the two, I find Pedersen as 
answering more fully the requirements of my 
ideal.” 

Strang pondered at some length upon the words 


SETTLEMENT IN THE WILDERNESS 161 


of the comely woman, then questioned her 
further. 

“That you’ve found certain qualities in Peder¬ 
sen that you admire, leads me to surmise that you 
may have discovered some inferior trait concern¬ 
ing Billingsly. Am I right in this conjecture!” 

“You’ve surmised quite correctly, sir. I have 
discovered a base trait indeed concerning Major 
Billingsly—a beastly trait if you please.” Cecille 
Hull’s tone became bitterly harsh as she launched 
herself further into a severe criticism of the Eng¬ 
lish Major. “The one particular incident that 
has caused me to turn my heart against the Major, 
was the perpetration of his foul deed upon Peder¬ 
sen, by placing him in irons and casting him 
adrift upon the sea in a small open boat. ’Twas a 
horrid thing, to be conceived only in the mind of 
a fiend, and executed in a deceptive manner under 
the cloak of military duty. It also appears to me 
quite plainly that his love for any woman would 
become a secondary matter as compared to his 
zealous allegiance to his King. He has trained his 
mind along a narrow channel in which he sees 
nothing greater upon which he can devote his love, 
other than what he may choose to call his military 
duty. In this way he has become hardened to a 
point of bestiality. His instincts have become 
savage, and he is blind to the beauties of the world 
outside his own narrow scope of vision. He 
doesn’t recognize the finer qualities that are 
possessed by many who may not come within the 
realm of his own shallow domain. Nay, Master 
Strang, I’ve chosen upon Pedersen as my mate. 
I am quite sure that his love for me is much 
greater, and of a more sincere quality than could 
that of Major Billingsly ever be. And so I take 


162 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

this man Pedersen, pirate that he may have been, 
and go willingly with him into this forest, because 
he is possessed of a charm that I’ve beheld in 
no other man.” 

The sincerity of the woman’s words rang so 
true with honest sentiment, that there was no 
doubt in the mind of Strang, that she had reached 
her decision only after debating the matter 
thoroughly in her own mind, and he dismissed her 
with his blessing. 

The betrothal was a matter also that came to 
be discussed between Pedersen and Burling. The 
two men were alone, seated in Burling’s quarters 
when the subject was broached by the latter. 

“Is it your intention to marry this woman in 
a spirit of revenge upon Billingsly, or is your 
motive simply an affair of the heart?” Burling 
asked his former mate in an honest manner. 

“ ’Tis purely an affair of the heart, sir,” 
answered Pedersen, “although I don’t deny that 
when I take the woman unto myself in marriage, 
that fact alone shall be some revenge upon the 
English dog.” 

“Then by taking Cecille Hull unto yourself you 
consider that your revenge upon the English Ma¬ 
jor is complete, and the score settled with him?” 

“By no means settled, sir,” answered Peder¬ 
sen. “I shall deal with Billingsly much in the 
same manner as he has dealt with me—with the 
violence of these—my own hands.” Pedersen 
emphasized his words with a gesture in which he 
displayed his powerful hands in front of Burling. 

Plainly then, did Burling fully comprehend the 
feeling of the sturdy mate. The fact alone of 
winning the hand of Cecille Hull, did not suffice 
to allay Pedersen’s hatred for Billingsly, and the 


SETTLEMENT IN THE WILDERNESS 163 


desire for further vengeance remained, like a 
smouldering fire in the breast of Pedersen. 

Then came a day when Calvary settlement in¬ 
dulged freely in merrymaking. It was the day set 
for the nuptial ceremony of Pedersen and Cecille 
Hull. With as much pomp as if taking place in a 
more civilized community, elaborate preparations 
were made for the wedding. Calvary church was 
decorated with wild flowers that had been gath¬ 
ered by Alice and Terese, and when the sun 
reached the mark of its noonday height, Strang 
pronounced Pedersen and Cecille Hull as man and 
wife, concluding the ceremony with the words, 
‘ 4 Those that have been joined together by the 
hand of God, let no man put asunder.’’ 

Congratulations were in order for a time, and 
Pedersen became the target for many piquant 
jests on the part of his former shipmates, who in¬ 
dulged themselves in the sumptuous feast that 
was spread, and partook freely also of the rum 
that had been issued in a generous quantity by 
Burling. 

The day was replete with many pleasures, but 
when it drew on toward late afternoon, Pedersen 
surprised his friends by declaring his intention of 
quitting the settlement. He was confronted on 
every side by the many questions of his friends 
who sought the reason for his intended departure 
from the place, but Pedersen remained strangely 
silent. 

Perhaps there was but one man in the whole 
settlement who understood the real motive that 
lay behind Pedersen’s intended departure; and 
that man was Burling himself, who quite readily 
discerned Pedersen’s motive as that of going 
forth in quest of Billingsly, in order that a greater 


164 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

measure of vengeance might be exacted upon the 
latter. 

Preparations were soon being made for a 
departure by the newly-wedded couple, followed 
by much handshaking and friendly farewells. As 
to Alice, the going of her aunt, Cecille, cast a pall 
of gloom upon the girl’s feelings. Their leave- 
taking of each other was pathetic; and as they 
embraced each other to indulge in a parting kiss, 
their emotions gave way to a flood, of tears. 
Strang also became deeply affected in bidding 
farewell to the woman who had been his lifelong 
friend. 

As between Burling and Pedersen, strong men 
that they were, their departure from each other 
was a matter that shook the emotions of the two. 
Their participation together in many exciting ad¬ 
ventures upon the sea had forged a bond of fellow¬ 
ship between them which is seldom found to exist 
among men. They took each other’s hands in a 
solemn grasp, but there was no parting word. 
Their emotional feelings and sentiments spoke 
more than could have been expressed in words, 
and they parted in silence. 

The sun on its downward journey was casting 
the long shadows that precede evening twilight, 
when the inhabitants of “Calvary” stood in 
solemn silence and gazed at two retreating figures, 
a man and a woman, moving upward and south¬ 
ward along the mountain slope. Pedersen and 
his bride soon became lost to view, swallowed up 
in the ever-lengthening shadows of the forest. 
Darkness came, and “Calvary” settled down to 
ponder upon the mysterious errand that had 
drawn Pedersen from its midst. 

Pedersen worked his way backward along the 


SETTLEMENT IN THE WILDEKNESS 165 

same trail that had brought the pirate cavalcade 
into the forest. He traveled by easy stages, for 
he was afoot, and did not wish to fatigue his 
newly-made bride by long wearisome marches. 

Eventually he found his way back to the place 
where the small boats had been abandoned at the 
forks of the stream, and found them just as they 
had been left on the inland journey, dragged high 
upon the bank. There was a dozen or more of 
the boats scattered about the shore, but Pedersen’s 
choice fell again upon the little craft that had 
formerly belonged to the English ship “Argyle,” 
and in which he had been set adrift upon the sea. 
It was the same also that he had brought against 
the current of the stream on the inland journey, 
with Cecille Hull as his companion. He was now 
about to embark in it again, upon an eventful 
journey, with Cecille Hull not only as a com¬ 
panion, but also as his wife. 

“We shall take this boat, Cecille, because it has 
been the means by which we have been brought 
into each other’s lives. My purpose is to return 
it to its rightful owners.” Pedersen slid the light 
craft into the water and motioned his companion 
to enter it. 

“Are you not incurring a great risk upon your 
life—or upon my life for that matter—by choos¬ 
ing to venture into the territory controlled by 
Major Billingsly?” In Cecille’s tone there was a 
note of apprehensiveness concerning the journey. 

“Aye, Cecille, my life has been filled with many 
hazards, but I have withstood them all, and I ask 
you to look upon this present venture with no 
sign of misgiving.” Pedersen followed his words 
by giving the boat a powerful shove from the 
shore, and it went gliding into midstream, to be 


166 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

caught by the gentle current that coursed toward 

the sea. ... , 

Pedersen planned to follow the stream until he 
should again reach the sea, then hold eastward 
along the coast toward the particular settlement 
where Billingsly was stationed. Just what his 
intentions may have been in matters pertaining to 
violence toward Billingsly, remains as a matter 
of conjecture. But one thing of a certainty that 
he intended to do, was to flaunt the woman who 
had become his bride in front of Billingsly’s eyes. 
Surely, this alone, would have been a matter to 
bring a pang into the heart of the English Major. 

Pedersen’s journey southward along the stream 
was consummated in a few days, the movement of 
the current itself being a factor that favored the 
swift progress of the boat. When the sea was 
reached however, progress was slow, for at fre¬ 
quent intervals the heavy surf prevented the 
launching of the boat. But Pedersen was un¬ 
daunted by this handicap, and his designs for 
vengeance upon Billingsly was an impelling 
force that held him to his purpose of forcing his 
way onward along the coast, coming nearer and 
nearer to the place where Billingsly was stationed. 


XXII 

Pedersen Settles His Score With Billingsly 

After a fruitless search of many quarters of 
the sea in quest of Peter Burling, Dan Baldrige 
brought the “Argyle” once more into port and 
sought his way to the quarters of Major Billingsly. 
He found the latter to be in a dejected state of 
mind. Baldrige saluted, and greeted the elderly 
English officer with a friendly smile. 

Baldrige related all that had taken place at Ha¬ 
vana, giving the full details of Burling’s escape 
from that harbor. 

“And you mean to say that the pirate came 
through the whole of the Spanish fleet without 
having a gun fired upon him ? ’ ’ Billingsly inquired 
in a manner of surprise. 

“Quite so, Major,” answered Baldrige. “The 
Spanish Admiral, Alverez, likes better to indulge 
himself in liquor, than in capturing pirates.” 

“And did he not join with you in pursuit of the 
pirate !’ ’ 

“No; he did not lift a single anchor.” 

“ ’Tis like the Spanish, to be indulging them¬ 
selves in wine while other important matters are 
needing attention. To them belongs an indolent 
trait, and methinks that we have made a bad 
peace with the lazy vagabonds. ’’ 

Then there followed a lengthy discussion con¬ 
cerning the two women. Baldrige could offer but 
scant hope for their rescue, for he knew not into 
167 


168 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

what quarter of the world he might have to turn 
to seek them. 

A strange reminiscent mood came over Bil- 
lingsly, and Baldrige did not fail to recognize the 
signs which told him plainly that the Major was 
weakening under the burdensome mental strain 
caused by the continued absence of Cecille Hull. 

“It is very hard, Baldrige, to try to overcome 
a disappointment like this. Try as I will I cannot 
drive these horrid thoughts from my mind.. .My 
conscience will not let me sleep. Ghastly visions 
come before my eyes, and at times methinks I am 
looking upon the comely features of Cecille Hull, 
then the picture fades from my mind and there 
appears in its stead a vision of the pirate, Peder¬ 
sen, whom we sent to his death in a small boat. 
Ah, Baldridge, it may be that we’ve been over- 
zealous in inflicting punishment upon the men who 
have dared to oppose our greedy King; and the 
pangs of remorse have come upon us like a 
plague. It is the reward for what we have er¬ 
roneously conceived to be our duty. For myself, 
I’ve spent years of hard service in the King’s 
uniform, to find at this late day that I have 
achieved nothing more than the hollow glory that 
springs from the letting of the blood of other 
men’s veins. It is a ghastly business, Baldrige, 
and we derive but a sham glory from it. I am sick 
of it all, and with my disappointment concerning 
Cecille Hull, life to me, without her, is not worth 
the living. ’ ’ 

Billingsly’s words came as a surprise to the 
youthful Baldrige. The staunch allegiance that 
the Major had declared at a previous meeting of 
the two, was quite at variance with his present 
views, which were condemnatory of the pursuits 


PEDERSEN SCORE SETTLED 169 

that he had followed for the greater part of his 
life. 

“ Perhaps it may be well that you take a more 
hopeful view of the situation, Major. For myself, 
I yet retain the hope that some turn of Fate may 
bring the gentle women back to us, ,, said Baldrige 
encouragingly. 

“ You are yet but a young man, Baldrige, and it 
is only natural that you should remain hopeful. 
It is a trait of youth. As for myself, I can see 
nothing but the ill omen that Fate has reserved 
for me.” 

Billingsly’s words were those of a broken- 
spirited man. He had been a successful soldier, 
insofar as the term may be applied. He had not 
only defended the particular territory assigned to 
him, but he had done more. He had gained consid¬ 
erable ground against a formidable enemy. The 
French and a few savages had been driven west of 
the Alleghanies, and to Billingsly was due much 
credit in a military way. He was a stern officer, 
and his long training in the arts of war had 
naturally hardened him to the point of being im¬ 
mune to any sympathy for human suffering. 

His military training had taught him to look 
upon human life as a cheap thing, to be wasted 
and thrown away upon fields of conquest. But of 
late a change had come over him. The continued 
absence of Cecille Hull wore hard upon him. It 
was his first defeat, and it was wrecking his indi¬ 
vidual morale. The ogre of remorse had fastened 
its talons deep into his soul. In his brooding over 
the woman, other matters had forced themselves 
unwillingly into his mind for consideration. 

Visions of wounded and dying men sprang up in 
front of him. The wail of weeping women for 


170 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

sons and husbands who had fallen in battle rang 
in his ears. The cry of little children, calling 
for fathers they would never see. The torture in¬ 
flicted upon Pedersen. All these things ran riot 
in his thoughts, striking torment upon his soul, 
and anguish to his mind. 

Dan Baldrige did not fail to recognize the great 
change that had come over Billingsly. The hag¬ 
gard countenance, with eyes that bespoke of a 
troubled conscience, all reflecting a failing of both 
mental and physical strength. To Baldrige the 
condition of the Major was pathetic, and the young 
man’s manner toward the elderly officer became 
one of condolence. 

“You seem to be given much to needless worry, 
Major. Aside from the absence of Cecille Hull, I 
can see no cause for the mental anguish from 
which you suffer. Can you derive no comfort by 
permitting your thoughts to dwell upon your own 
accomplishments? Your efforts have been quite 
successful in a military way, and methinks you 
should let your mind rest more upon the glory of 
your military achievements.” 

“Glory of military achievements. Ye gods, 
Baldrige, what hollow words!” Billingsly’s 
voice became keyed to a high pitch of exclamation. 
“Military glory! A thing I set out to achieve in 
early youth; and now, in the evening of my life, 
do I find the fruit of victory tainted with a nause¬ 
ating bitterness. This thing that you choose to 
term military glory has come to me at a cost in 
which the lives of other men have been expended 
freely. I’ve driven men to the slaughter in battle 
in order that the domain of our King might be 
extended by a few miles. And by the acquisition 
of each new strip of land, does this very King set 


PEDEESEN SCOEE SETTLED 171 


a heavy tax upon it, to be paid by his struggling 
subjects who toil hard for a mere existence. It 
may sound to you disloyal, Baldrige, but the 
King’s burdensome tax is gradually destroying 
the morale of his subjects in these very settle¬ 
ments. ’Tis a grim business, to be throwing away 
the lives of other men to satisfy the whim of a 
greedy King. For my part in this bloody affair of 
conquest, I feel a sense of shame, rather than what 
may be deceptively termed military glory. My 
life has been wasted in devotion to the most de¬ 
praved vocation known to the human race—a 
hired assassin in a war of conquest. My very 
soul has been blighted by it, and it seems as if a 
righteous retribution has come to deprive me of 
the woman that I love.” 

Billingsly would not become reconciled to any 
encouraging word that Baldrige might offer, so 
it was with much forboding ill concerning the Ma¬ 
jor, that Baldrige took his way again to his ship, 
to renew his search upon the sea for Peter Bur¬ 
ling. 

Billingsly’s quarters stood at a distance of a 
half mile from the sea, and not infrequently it 
became his custom to go down and stroll leisurely 
upon the sands of the beach. 

On a particular late afternoon when the sea 
was quite calm, Billingsly went his way alone 
down to the shore to indulge in his customary 
walk along the strand. There was no pounding of 
the surf, but instead the waves came in gently and 
flattened themselves out upon the sand in an easy, 
graceful flow, with scarcely a ripple of noise. 

The sun was casting its last rays of the closing 
day upon a vast panorama of placid blue sea, cre¬ 
ating a blending of colors upon a scene so beauti- 


172 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

ful, and so luxuriantly touched with rare tints of 
splendor as to stir the human soul into flights of 
fanciful wonderment at the grandeur of nature’s 
handiwork. 

Into such a setting do we find Billingsly making 
his way slowly along the beach. He was not at¬ 
tracted by the beauty of the scene about him, be¬ 
cause his mind was occupied by brooding upon the 
events of his past life. While casting a glance 
seaward his attention became riveted upon a mov¬ 
ing object at no great distance from the shore. 
Close observation brought the outline of a small 
boat into view, occupied by two human figures—a 
man and a woman. He stood silent and mused at 
the sight before him. The boat came closer, being 
propelled by long sweeps of its oars in the hands 
of a strongly built man. 

The occupants of the boat had observed the lone 
figure of Billingsly upon the shore, and they held 
a direct course toward him. A few powerful 
strokes of the oars sent the little craft forward 
at a good rate of speed, and it came to rest with 
its bow firmly upon the sands of the beach. The 
man at the oars raised himself from his seat and 
stepped quickly upon the shore, facing Billingsly. 

“Pedersen—the pirate!” Billingsly’s words 
were spoken mechanically, and a look of horror 
and surprise came over his features. The two 
men glowered at each other threateningly. Bil¬ 
lingsly unsheathed his sword, while Pedersen’s 
hand dropped to a heavy calibered pistol that 
hung at his belt. The woman moved quickly from 
the boat and stepped between the two men, facing 
Billingsly. 

“Cecille!” exclaimed Billingsly in astonished 
bewilderment. “Ye gods, is this another of those 


PEDERSEN SCORE SETTLED 173 


ghastly nightmares that have come to haunt me? 
Speak, woman, that I may be assured of the 
reality of what I see!’ r 

“It is I, Major, your sweetheart of long ago, 
and this man is my husband.” Cecille made a 
gesture with her hand toward Pedersen. 

Billingsly shuddered as if he had received a 
dagger ’s thrust. 

“Impossible, Cecille!” he cried. “This pirate 
has forced you into an unlawful marriage.” 

“Nay, Major, Pedersen has won my love in an 
honest manner, and we’ve been joined together 
lawfully, by none other than our divine friend, 
John Strang.” 

Billingsly stared at the woman in further be¬ 
wilderment and wonder. He shifted his gaze to 
Pedersen, and clutched hard upon the handle of 
his sword. A heavy frown came over his features 
as he endeavored to concentrate his blurred 
faculties upon the purport of such a strange meet¬ 
ing. After a moment’s reflection he addressed the 
woman again. 

“And you have willingly taken this man as your 
husband?” 

“Yes. Quite willingly, Major. I’ve taken the 
man because I love him. I sometimes doubt the 
sincerity of the affection I once held for you. 
Methinks that I was attracted more by the glitter 
of your sword, and the gaudiness of the military 
coat that you wear. It never occurred to me to 
search out the qualities of the man that stood be¬ 
hind the military cloak, until I became aware of 
the torture you had inflicted upon Pedersen. Then 
was it that your true nature was revealed as be¬ 
ing that of an assassin. To torture, to maim, and 
to kill, is a base trait, Major, and it is the very 


174 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

thing that has turned my heart against you. I 
hate you for the punishment you’ve inflicted upon 
this man who has become my husband, and-” 

“Stop, woman! I can’t bear to hear you speak 
thus. My conscience has been accusing me of the 
very things of which you speak. For weeks I’ve 
gone without sleep, suffering the torments of hell! 
I can scarcely stand up under the weight.of the 
guilt that I feel for my past deeds of violence 
against my fellow man. What is your purpose in 
coming here with this man, Cecille? Is it to inflict 
further torture upon my soul, and break the last 
thread of my reason?” 

“I’ve come here because my husband willed it; 
where he goes, shall I go also, to cherish, love and 
comfort him. Though he may be destitute in mat¬ 
ters of worldly goods, he is possessed of strong 
hands and a clean mind, and I shall be happy with 
him even if forced to live among the beasts of the 
forest.” Cecille’s words served to drive Bil- 
lingsly into a further depressed state of mind. He 
turned his glance upon Pedersen. 

“Am I correct in surmising your motive as that 
of coming here to seek vengeance upon me!” 

“I’ve come to destroy you,” answered Peder¬ 
sen. 

“If you will bear with me for a moment, then 
I shall help you accomplish your purpose,” said 
Billingsly as he unbuttoned his military blouse, re¬ 
moving the garment and throwing it aside. 
Pinned to his top shirt directly over his heart, was 
a gold locket inset with a picture of Cecille Hull. 

“I shall offer you no resistance, Pedersen. 
Hold the sights of your pistol fine upon this locket, 
and vengeance shall be yours. ’ ’ Billingsly 


PEDERSEN SCORE SETTLED 175 


dropped his hands to his sides and stared vacantly 
at Pedersen, as if he expected the latter to fire. 

While Pedersen’s hand rested upon his pistol, he 
made no effort to raise the weapon against Bil- 
lingsly. 

“It would be cowardly for me to take your life 
in this manner,” said Pedersen. “I would rather 
kill you with my bare hands. If you were upon 
the sea, I would make you walk the plank, but 
here, upon this spot, I’ll offer you the choice of 
destroying yourself with this pistol, or of being 
crushed by these hands of mine. Make your 
choice.” Pedersen advanced to within a pace of 
Billingsly, and proffered the pistol to him. 

Billingsly took the weapon into his own hands 
and carefully placed the muzzle against the small 
gold locket pinned to his breast. Cecille turned 
her face from the scene. There was a second of 
awful silence, then the report of the pistol rang 
out and echoed its way among the sand dunes of 
the beach. Billingsly pitched forward on his face 
—dead by his own hand. 

A shudder of horror came over Cecille. She 
could not bear to look again, but moved slowly, 
further along the beach, away from the scene. 

Death was instantaneous to Billingsly. The 
pistol bullet had torn its way through the locket 
and passed directly into his heart. For a moment 
Pedersen gazed down upon the fallen man, in a 
sort of meditative silence. He turned his glance 
toward Cecille, who was moving away with her 
back upon the scene. He shifted his gaze to the 
sea, and to the boat, then again to the body that 
lay at his feet, as if debating with himself on a 
course of action. 

Finally he gathered up Billingsly’s body and 


176 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

laid it face downward in the bottom of the small 
boat. This done, he gave the light craft a vigor¬ 
ous shove from the shore, going into the water 
to his waist, and the boat was caught by the ebbing 
tide, and went drifting toward the open sea. 

“I bid you a gainful voyage, Major, with pleas¬ 
ant dreams of fair women and rich treasure.” 
Pedersen’s words were spoken in a manner of 
mockery of some such phrase as Billingsly had 
used in passing sentence upon the pirate mate. 

The shades of darkness fell heavy upon the 
night. Pedersen and Cecille wended their way 
back again into the dense blackness of the forest, 
traveling far into the night, laying a great dis¬ 
tance between themselves and the scene of the 
meeting with Billingsly. 

They renewed their advance on the following 
day, and on the next, on and on, deeper and deeper 
into the wilderness, gaining sustenance in a 
primeval way by taking fish from the streams, and 
meat and fowl from the wild life of the forest, 
moving leisurely at will, giving little thought to 
the strife of the world outside their own primitive 
realm of happiness. 

A coast settlement awoke on a particular morn¬ 
ing to find its military commander, Billingsly, 
missing. Searching parties were sent out and due 
inquiry was made on every hand, but no trace 
of the Major could be found. His disappearance 
became a mystery, to be much discussed by the in¬ 
habitants, but withal unsolved by them. 


xxm 


A Small Boat to Windward 

The English ship “Argyle” cruised back and 
forth across the regular ship lanes leading to and 
from the American Colonies. Baldrige was ever 
alert in laying his ship’s course toward any new 
sail that appeared upon the horizon, hoping 
against hope, that he might perchance run upon 
Peter Burling. 

The disappointment of his fruitless search for 
the pirate, was cutting the furrows of care upon 
Baldrige’s brow. He spent many lonely hours in 
reflective meditation concerning the events that 
had recently come into his life. His thoughts 
carried him back to those happy days in Brad¬ 
bury, and he fell to a speculation of the probable 
chances of ever seeing Alice Hull again. The 
trifling ways of Miguel Alverez, the bold manner 
in which Burling had come out of Havana harbor, 
the mental condition of Billingsly, all these came 
to place the fine lines of care upon his counte¬ 
nance. 

As a digression for his mind, he went upon the 
deck to employ himself in looking to the lay of his 
sails, or any other matter that might require con¬ 
sideration. He brought the attention of his boat¬ 
swain to bear upon the fact that, at one of the 
“Argyle’s” davits there hung no small boat. 

“You may assume the duty, Latimer, when we 
reach port again, to look after the business of 
placing a boat in this empty davit. It has been 


178 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

vacant since we set the pirate, Pedersen, adrift. 

i 4 Right-o, sir, it shall be attended to, replied 
the boatswain, Latimer, with a salute. 

To look into the skies and ponder upon the 
mystery that lies beyond the stars, may cause, us 
also to wonder none the less at times concerning 
the secrets of the deep. . 

Some such thought may have come to Baldrige, 
when there came a cry from the “ Argyle’s” look¬ 
out: 

“A small boat to windward, sir.” 

Followed then a quick shifting of sails, and, 
after a time, the “Argyle” was maneuvered into 
a position that permitted the salvaging of the 
small craft that had been sighted. Considerable 
excitement prevailed when, as the little boat 
drifted close to the ship’s side, there was disclosed 
the body of a man lying face downward in it. 
Lines from the ‘‘Argyle’s” vacant davit were 
quickly taken over the side, and in the course 
of a minute’s time the boat was swung free of the 
water and rested upon the “Argyle’s” deck. 
Curious seamen gathered quickly about.. 

“ ’Tis our own small boat!” exclaimed the 
boatswain, Latimer, “and the body must be that 
of the pirate, Pedersen.” 

‘ ‘ Nay, ’ ’ responded Baldrige. ‘ ‘ The pirate was 
a much larger man. Turn the body that we may 
look upon the face.” 

The silent form was lifted from the boat and 
placed face upward on the deck. 

“Major Billingsly!” exclaimed a score of 
voices. 

The knot of hardy English seamen bared their 
heads and stood silent for a moment, gazing at the 
awe-inspiring sight. Baldrige stooped to examine 


A SMALL BOAT TO WINDWARD 179 


the wound in Billingsly’s breast. A thin rim of 
gold, all that remained of the locket, marked the 
entrance of the leaden missile of death. Baldrige 
shook his head solemnly. 

“It is as I expected,’* he said, addressing the 
men about him. “I knew the Major’s mental con¬ 
dition to be failing, and there is no doubt that 
he has died by his own hand. But the manner of 
his being in this small boat is more than I can ex¬ 
plain. It is but one of many of those mysterious 
secrets of the sea.” 

Baldrige immediately turned the “Argyle’s” 
course shoreward toward the coast settlements, 
hoping that some light might be thrown upon the 
strange mystery concerning Billingsly. But he 
was disappointed. The inhabitants of the par¬ 
ticular settlement where Billingsly had been sta¬ 
tioned knew nothing concerning the Major, other 
than that he had been missing for a few days. 
They were themselves very much surprised to 
learn of the manner in which he had been found 
dead in the boat at sea. 

In due time, and with fitting ceremony, Billings¬ 
ly was laid to rest, and how he came to be cast 
adrift in the small boat was a mystery that he car¬ 
ried with him into the grave. 


XXIV 

Burling Makes a Trip to Kennebec 

At a distance of approximately one hundred 
miles north of Calvary, there was encamped a 
French body of troops, under the command of one 
Captain Jourdain. Situated there also, was a 
mixed settlement composed in the main of French, 
with a few Indians. The colony was familiarly 
known as Kennebec, taking its name no doubt, 
from the trading post there situated, and known 
as the Kennebec Trading Company. 

Kennebec was the commercial hub that drew 
men from far-distant points of the wilderness, 
hunters and trappers in the main, who came to 
barter their furs for powder and provisions. 

The existence to the north of him of such a 
place as Kennebec, became known to Peter Bur¬ 
ling, finally, when one day there came into Calvary 
a stranger, Jacques Lepage, a half-breed French- 
Indian. 

Jacques Lepage was a wanderer, roving from 
place to place as the manner of his inclinations 
might direct—a nomad of the forest. He came 
into Calvary on a particular day when he had 
ran short of provisions, and sought out Peter Bur¬ 
ling, to whom Jacques introduced himself. 

“I am Jacques Lepage, M’sieu, and am on my 
way to the trading post at Kennebec. The dis¬ 
tance is a good hundred miles by the nearest trail, 
and I am hungry and short of provisions.” 

180 


A TRIP TO KENNEBEC 


181 


Burling searched every inch of the newcomer 
with a scrutinizing glance before he spoke. 

“My own stores are not so abundant as I would 
like to have them, albeit there is plenty to satisfy 
the craving of a hungry man. Be seated, Jacques 
Lepage, while Terese and Alice prepare a meal 
for you.” 

In the interim that followed, while the repast 
was being prepared by the two girls, Jacques Le¬ 
page accepted Burling’s further hospitality by 
indulging in a heavy goblet of rum, after which 
the two fell into a rather friendly discourse. 

Jacques Lepage was a son of the forest, and he 
knew all the mountain trails that led to the various 
settlements that lay scattered at far-distant 
points. He was familiar with the lay of the coun¬ 
try from the Hudson river to the western slopes 
of the Alleghanies, and had at times been em¬ 
ployed by both the French and English as a guide. 

It remains as a matter of conjecture whether 
Jacques had really come into Calvary to appease 
his appetite for food, or whether he was attracted 
to the place to satisfy his own curiosity concern¬ 
ing this strange new settlement that had sprung 
up. He was puzzled by the strange appearance of 
these men of the settlement. That their ways and 
manners were not as the ways and manners of 
men of the forest, he was quite sure. Whence 
then had these strange men come ? was a question 
that dwelt foremost in the mind of Jacques Le¬ 
page. 

His searching glances drifted from one to an¬ 
other of the men as the opportunity offered to 
study their features. His eyes came to rest finally 
upon Drake, former Captain of the ill-fated Essex. 
There was a certain something about Drake that 


182 


PETER BURLING, PIRATE 


seemed familiar to Jacques. He had seen that 
face before, but knew not just where. The ques¬ 
tion revolved itself over and over in his mind. He 
thought hard. Ah, yes, he remembered now! he 
had seen Drake at one of the English coast settle¬ 
ments ; he was a sea captain. 

Then did it also occur to Jacques Lepage, that 
all of these men of Calvary settlement gave the 
appearance of being seafaring men. The swagger 
of their walk, their mode of speech, the hue of 
their skin, all bespoke of life upon the sea. 

But why were these men here? What had 
brought them into this fastness of the wilderness ? 
were questions that set Jacques Lepage’s mind 
into further shrewd deductions. He had by keen 
observation, not only detected the identity of 
Drake, but also the further fact that the make-up 
of the settlement’s inhabitants was composed of 
former men of the sea. 

He fell to a study of Peter Burling himself. 
Like Drake, there was that same familiar some¬ 
thing about Burling that Jacques recognized. Al¬ 
though he felt sure that he had never seen the 
man before, because, to look upon a man possessed 
of such a powerful physique as Burling, was in 
itself a circumstance not soon to be forgotten. 
Yet, there was a certain familiar cast about Bur- 
ling’s facial features that were recognizable to 
Jacques. He studied Burling’s profile closely. 
Then of a sudden did Jacques ’ acute mind fathom 
the mystery of Burling’s identity. 

“The great pirate!” thought Jacques. It was 
plain to him now, for had he not seen Burling’s 
picture posted at conspicuous places in the Eng¬ 
lish settlements? Surely, and the big reward of 
five thousand gold pounds? Jacques was some- 


A TRIP TO KENNEBEC 


183 


what startled by his discovery. He gave vent to 
his surprise by emitting a short audible whistle— 
a peculiar personal trait that had been acquired 
by him—whereupon Burling looked at him ques- 
tioningly. 

“Your settlement smells of salt, Monsieur.” 

“Meaning what?” asked Burling. 

“That the habits of your men do not bespeak 
of the customs of the forest,” answered Lepage. 
“The bearskin that hangs loosely from the limb of 
yonder tree will bring less than half price at the 
market of Kennebec, because it has been improp¬ 
erly handled. The deer-hide also shows signs of 
having been removed from the carcass by un¬ 
skilled hands.” 

“We’ve given little attention to the pelts of the 
animals that have been killed, being more con¬ 
cerned with the value of their meat as food, ’ ’ re¬ 
sponded Burling. 

“A good pelt can be bartered for a pound of 
powder at Kennebec, or for a week’s provisions 
for that matter,” said Lepage. “Unless one’s 
stores are plentiful enough to not require the 
barter of such skins, then does it become one to 
look to the proper care of a pelt that it may bring 
a fair price upon the market. ’ ’ 

“What you say may all be true, my friend, but 
rather than trifle with the marketing of a few 
skins, I shall use gold to barter for my require¬ 
ments of powder and provisions. While my stores 
are sufficient to meet the needs of the settlement 
for another month, yet it is my desire to replenish 
them at the first opportunity. You are familiar 
with the trail to Kennebec?” 

“Oh, sure, M’sieu, I know the way quite well,” 
answered Lepage. 


184 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

“And would you accept a sum of gold to show 
me the way there, that I may purchase a fresh 
supply of provisions ? 11 

“Yes, gladly, M’sieu.” 

Jacques Lepage partook freely of the food that 
had been prepared by Terese and Alice. The two 
girls became curiously interested in the peculiar 
ways of this native son of the forest, and were 
amused by his greediness in replenishing his plate 
time and again with the viands that had been set 
before him, for Jacques ’ appetite was acquired 
after the manner of men of the woods, and it took 
a goodly quantity of food to appease his hunger. 

Although his interest may have appeared to be 
centered wholly upon the food before him, never¬ 
theless the comeliness of the two young women 
was a matter that did not escape the keen observ¬ 
ance of Jacques. 

“Does the dark-eyed maid come from the north 
country? And does she speak the French 
tongue ?” Jacques directed his question politely 
to Terese. 

“Quite the reverse, sir,” smiled Terese, no 
less politely. “My dark eyes are inherited from 
Spanish parents of the tropics. ’’ 

Jacques arched his brow in a manner as ex¬ 
pressing his surprise, and looked toward Alice. 

“Then may I ask the blue-eyed lass if she has 
lately come from the English settlements?” 

“You are mistaken again, sir,” said Alice. I 
am of English birth, but have never seen the set¬ 
tlements.” 

Jacques evinced further surprise. 

“And may I ask the name of the lady whom I 
saw dancing so gracefully when I first came?” 
questioned Jacques again. 


A TRIP TO KENNEBEC 


185 


“Oh—that was Lucretia, the Carib dancer ,’’ 
answered Terese. 

“She is very pretty, and does a beautiful 
dance,” said Jacques, and his eyes drifted toward 
Lucretia, who stood a few paces away. 

“Quite so, sir, but she is the wife of one of the 
men of Calvary,” said Terese, whereupon Jacques 
let his glance fall to the food before him. 

With his repast finished, he sought Burling 
again and the two fell to a discussion of such plans 
as were necessary for the forthcoming journey to 
Kennebec, to which place Burling had decided to 
go and purchase a supply of provisions. 

All details of the trip were worked out by the 
two, whereby pack-horses were to be used as a 
means of conveyance of the goods to be purchased, 
and a greater part of the men of Calvary were to 
accompany Burling, to give such assistance as 
might be required. 

At the solicitation of Terese and Alice, Burling 
gave his consent to permit the two girls to go with 
him to Kennebec. Although the journey would be 
a tedious one, the two young women expressed a 
desire to see the settlement that lay a hundred 
miles to the northward, and Burling gave them 
permission to accompany him. 

With all arrangements complete, a start was 
made early one day, and Burling and his men with 
Terese and Alice, and Jacques Lepage as a guide, 
moved northward toward Kennebec, leaving 
Strang and a few men and women to look to the 
care of Calvary during the absence of the former 
pirate chieftain. 

On the sixth day after leaving Calvary, Burling 
and his men, led by Jacques Lepage, entered the 
French settlement of Kennebec. Their entrance 


186 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

into the place created quite a stir of excitement, 
for it was a very unusual thing for such a for¬ 
midable body of men to come unheralded into the 
place. 

Captain Jourdain, the commander of a body of 
some five hundred French troops, became very 
active in making inquiry concerning the newcom¬ 
ers. As Jacques Lepage was at their head, he was 
the first to be questioned by Jourdain. 

“What do you mean, Jacques, by leading such 
a force of armed men into Kennebec ?” 

i 1 1 am acting only as their guide, Captain. They 
come to barter for a supply of provisions for 
the new settlement of Calvary that has sprung up 
a hundred miles to the south. ’’ 

“The first I have heard of such a settlement,’’ 
said Jourdain. “Who is the leader of these 
men?” 

And Jacques pointed to Burling who was stand¬ 
ing close by with the two women. “The heavy 
man with the dark eyes,’ ’ answered Jacques. 

Jourdain approached Burling. 

“I am Captain Jourdain, Monsieur, of the 
French troops stationed near by. You are a 
stranger in Kennebec—may I inquire your name, 
please, and the nature of your mission here?” 
The French Captain gave Burling a military 
salute, then bowed low to the two young women. 

Burling eyed his interrogator with a penetrat¬ 
ing glance. Jourdain—that name caused the 
pirate’s mind to move swiftly and reflectively back 
to a time when the informer, Lefevre, had be¬ 
trayed a number of Burling’s men by leading them 
into Jourdain’s hands, and subsequently executed 
by him. 

1 ‘ My presence here shall give you less cause for 


A TRIP TO KENNEBEC 


187 


concern if you will restrain your curiosity,” 
answered Burling coldly. 

“I am the military dictator of this territory, 
Monsieur,” said Captain Jourdain; “my jurisdic¬ 
tion extends southward beyond the settlement that 
Jacques Lepage informs me you have built up. 
It is my duty to make inquiry concerning yourself 
and your men. You must remember that your set¬ 
tlement is located within French territory, there¬ 
fore, you shall be required to comply with such 
rules and regulations as I may see fit to impose.” 

“To make such a proposal is one thing, to 
enforce it is another,” replied Burling, coolly. 

“I have the power to enforce my edicts, Mon¬ 
sieur. That power rests within the hands of five 
hundred well-armed men who are under my com¬ 
mand on the outskirts of Kennebec.” Jourdain’s 
manner was expressive of an irritated temper, and 
at the conclusion of his speech he snapped his 
fingers in front of Burling’s face, shrugged his 
shoulders and moved away. 

“His ways are much the same as those of Mi¬ 
guel Alverez,” mused Burling, who went his way 
toward the building occupied by the Kennebec 
Trading Company, where he was joined by 
Jacques Lepage. The latter replenished his pack 
with provisions. 

“If you shall not require my services on the 
return journey, Monsieur, then I will say good¬ 
bye,” so saying, Jacques slung his pack to his 
shoulders and moved away, out of Kennebec, into 
the secret trails of the forest. 


XXV 


The Battle in the Wilderness 

Burling completed his purchase of goods and 
provisions, and was counting out the gold in pay¬ 
ment for the same when Jourdain put in his ap¬ 
pearance at the trading post. He eyed Burling 
critically, and his glance came to rest upon the 
yellow metal that was being placed upon the 
counter. 

“You seem to have plenty of gold, Monsieur, 
some of which bears the stamp of French coinage. 
May I inquire how it has come into your posses¬ 
sion ? ’ ’ 

“Curiosity killed a cat once, Frenchy,” an¬ 
swered Burling. “But if you must know the 
source of this gold, I will say that some of it was 
passed into my hands by one Lefevre, just before 
he stepped off the end of a plank into the sea.” 

A look of surprise came over Jourdain’s 
features. Burling’s manner became threatening. 
Jourdain shrank hack and edged his way toward 
the door. Making his exit, he walked rapidly 
toward the encampment of his troops, while Bur¬ 
ling proceeded to the business of directing the 
loading of his pack-horses, preparatory to the re¬ 
turn journey to Calvary. 

In the late afternoon Burling moved out away 
from Kennebec, toward the forest, and the trail 
that led to Calvary. 

Jourdain also moved, with his French troops, 
close upon the trail of the pirate. The French 
188 


BATTLE IN THE WILDERNESS 189 


commander was bent upon mischief. Insult bad 
been flaunted in bis face by Burling, and nothing 
less than the letting of blood would satisfy Jour¬ 
dain’s craving for revenge upon the pirate. 

With the setting of the sun, Burling pitched his 
camp for the night. He stationed guards at 
strategic points around his camp, for he was ap¬ 
prehensive concerning the movement of French 
troops. 

But Jourdain did not strike. He was not quite 
ready, for his plans were to follow Burling into 
Calvary, then deal a decisive blow to the entire 
settlement. So with each day that Burling moved, 
he was trailed closely by Jourdain and his troops, 
until there remained but a scant half day’s travel, 
when Burling pitched his final camp for the night, 
before concluding the last lap of his journey to 
Calvary. 

The final shades of dusk were draping the forest 
with a curtain of darkness, when the sounds of 
breaking twigs caused the vigilance of Burling’s 
men to become more alert. The intense silence of 
the forest was broken suddenly by a rifle shot, to 
be followed quickly by a fusillade, and Jourdain’s 
attack upon the pirate was begun. 

The struggle grew fiercely intense. Men threw 
themselves upon one another in the darkness and 
grappled to the death. Groans and curses inter¬ 
mingled with the chants of dying men. Burling’s 
horses stampeded and ran wildly into the recesses 
of the forest. The pirate’s men stood their 
ground, however, and fought bravely, for they 
were men of rare courage, who waged a deadly 
execution upon their antagonists. 

Burling threw himself into the thick of the 
fighting, and with a clubbed musket in his power- 


190 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

ful hands, he dropped man after man with the 
great crushing blows that carried the sting of 
death. 

But the pirate’s forces were greatly outnum¬ 
bered. With odds of perhaps ten to one, the tide 
of the combat finally turned in favor of Jourdain. 
The firing became sporadic, and after a time 
ceased altogether. 

The resultant carnage of the conflict was fright¬ 
ful, as there was not a single man of Burling’s 
force left standing. They fought until the last 
man had fallen and those that lay wounded were 
promptly bayoneted to death, in accordance with 
Jourdain’s orders. 

When the first shots were fired Alice and Terese 
ran from the scene, frightened. Terese sought 
refuge among a cluster of large stones near by, 
but Alice ran excitedly on, holding a direction that 
kept the sounds of the firing at her back. So 
frightened had she become, that she ran until her 
breath came in short gasps, and she was com¬ 
pelled to relax into a walk. But she moved steadily 
onward, burrowing her way deeper and deeper 
into the darkened recesses of the wilderness. 

Long after the firing had ceased to ring in 
Alice’s ears, she stumbled further along the moun¬ 
tain fastness, until finally with a whirling brain 
she dropped into a small leaf-filled depression in 
the earth, exhausted. The stupor of fatigued 
muscles and a wearied brain held sway over her 
whole being for a time, and she lay motionless 
upon the cushion of leaves where she had sunk 
down, and fell into a sort of stupefied restfulness. 

The weird howl of a timber wolf broke the still¬ 
ness of the night. The cry was answered and 
taken up to be passed along in the same shrill 


BATTLE IN THE WILDERNESS 191 


notes from the caverns of the higher ledges. They 
were the assembly calls of the pack—the call to 
food—for there was the smell of blood in the air, 
human blood, and a season of feasting was at 
hand. 

Alice became startled into an alert wakefulness, 
but she did not stir. A new fear took possession 
of her. The great depressing loneliness of the 
forest became manifest to her, and she was cog¬ 
nizant of her own weakness as compared to the 
power and savageness of the prowlers of the 
wilderness. 

The wailing cries were renewed from various 
points along the slopes, indicating that the pack 
was being gradually augmented by increasing 
numbers. Alice did not move a muscle, but lay 
quietly in dumb fear, listening. 

There came the sound of rustling leaves, as if 
disturbed by a footfall. Alice listened intently. 
Then came the noise of a breaking twig, and the 
agitation of the leaves became more pronounced 
as the sounds of footsteps approached nearer. 
A moving figure came close and halted a few paces 
from where she lay. She raised her head ever so 
gently and peered at the figure in the darkness. 
She thought she saw the outline of a tall man, but 
she was not quite sure; the darkness was baffling. 

The ripple of the water of a tiny cataract in a 
nearby ravine became audible, and the tall 
shadowy shape moved off slowly toward it. 
Alice’s gaze followed and she became convinced 
that the figure was that of a man. She raised 
herself to a sitting posture and gazed after the 
moving figure; then came again the cry of the 
wolf pack, and she dropped back upon her bed of 
leaves. 


192 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

Presently there came from the ravine the mut¬ 
tering sounds of a human voice. Alice raised her¬ 
self again and listened intently. She peered into 
the darkness about her, then stood up and made 
her way cautiously toward the place whence the 
sound of the voice had come. A groan attracted 
her to the object she sought, and advancing a few 
paces further she halted and gazed down at the 
figure of a man who lay stretched at full length 
at her feet. The heave of his chest in labored 
breathing became audible to her, although she 
could not discern his features in the darkness. 
Finally he emitted a low muttering speech: 

“Lay more canvas to the wind, Pedersen! The 
storm will be upon us before we reach Havana—” 

“Captain Burling!” Alice called the pirate’s 
name softly but audibly, as she recognized his 
voice. 

“Aye—who speaks my name in such a gentle 
voice? Is it you, Terese?” 

“Nay, Master Burling, it is I—Alice—are you 
ill?” 

“I am dying of thirst. Methinks I heard the 
sound of running water hereabout. The storm is 
from the nor’west. More sail, Pedersen! Hold 
for yonder light of Moro Castle. The storm may 
break before we reach the harbor. It is growing 
darker—now—” came Burling’s voice in the 
broken sentences of delirium. 

Alice stepped to the small brook a few paces 
away, and cupping her hands together brought 
water and placed it to his lips. Burling gulped 
the water greedily and begged for more. Alice 
made repeated trips to the brook, and it seemed 
to her that his thirst would never become 
quenched. 


BATTLE IN THE WILDERNESS 193 


She touched his brow, and it was hot with fever. 
She knew that he must be wounded, so began an 
examination of his heavy chest. Presently, she 
felt the trickle of warm blood come against her 
hand, from a wound that ran low through the 
shoulder. 

She shrank back, slightly shocked by the feel 
of human blood upon her hands, but quickly 
brought her mind to bear upon the fact that she 
must have courage. Burling lapsed into a sub¬ 
conscious state, and Alice tore strips of cloth from 
her garments, soaked them in the cooling water 
and applied them to the hot wound, finally 
stanching the flow of blood. 

Burling’s wound was serious. It had been in¬ 
flicted in the early stages of the combat with 
Jourdain’s men, but the pirate had fought desper¬ 
ately until he had fallen. By mere chance he had 
fallen near a rather steep declivity of the moun¬ 
tain slope, and in a dazed effort to regain his feet 
he had fallen repeatedly, staggering and rolling 
until he finally came to the bottom of the sharp 
descent, a good distance away from the scene of 
violence. Thence he had wandered aimlessly 
through the woods, until discovered by Alice. 

Alice set herself to the employment of such 
means as would make the wounded man as com¬ 
fortable as possible. She pillowed leaves about 
him in such a manner as to permit the relaxation 
of his great body, making frequent trips to the 
brook, procuring water for his parched lips and 
fevered wound. 

She felt less afraid now, because of his pres¬ 
ence, although he could be considered as quite 
helpless in defending her from any danger that 
might arise; yet, she felt a certain sense of 


194 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

security in his presence. And she was greatly 
relieved when she noted that the cry of the wolf 
pack was becoming more faint, due no doubt to 
the fact that the animals were being drawn to the 
scene of carnage where the fight had been staged. 

She settled herself down to keeping the nightly 
vigil over the wounded man. To her it seemed 
the night would never end. She worried her brain 
with the problem of just what should be done in 
this very singular plight in which she found her¬ 
self. To seek human assistance was out of the 
question, since there was no, habitation near, other 
than the camp of Jourdain’s forces, and they were 
Burling’s enemies. Then there was the problem 
of food. She must have some form of nutriment 
to sustain Burling’s strength, as well as her own. 

The night wore on, and finally there came the 
grey light of the east. The mountain tops became 
tinted with the yellow rays of the morning sun, 
later bathing the slopes farther down, and finally 
filtering golden streams down through the 
branches of the trees, full upon the figures of the 
wounded man and his companion. 

The prowling packs had feasted, and sought the 
seclusion of the caverns in the rocks of the higher 
crags, and the air was filled with the songs of 
birds proclaiming the birth of a new day. 

From a nearby glen came the neigh of a horse. 
Alice looked in the direction whence the sound 
had come. Presently the animal hove into sight, 
riderless, but with a pack upon its back, which 
Alice recognized as being the same horse that had 
been used by Burling on leaving the French trad¬ 
ing post. Then did it occur to her mind the im¬ 
portance of capturing the animal, for the pack 
upon its back contained food, a goodly quantity, 


BATTLE IN THE WILDERNESS 195 


enough to sustain Burling and herself for several 
days or even weeks, for the animal was heavily 
laden. 

She moved out into a sort of open glade, when 
the horse caught sight of her and stopped, pricked 
up its ears and looked curiously at her. Alice 
called him softly, and the animal whinnied and 
moved toward her, halting a few paces away from 
where she stood. She spoke again and held out 
her hand, and the noble beast came close and 
rubbed its nose against her, seemingly glad of the 
fellowship of a human companion, after a night 
spent among the howling denizens of the forest. 

Alice busied herself with the task of removing 
the pack from the tired animal, and the gentle 
creature grazed near her, seemingly grateful at 
having been relieved of its burden. She next made 
a survey of the immediate vicinity around her, to 
locate if possible a suitable place that would offer 
some means of shelter and protection for Burling 
and herself, and the newly acquired stores of pro¬ 
visions. 

At a distance of possibly two hundred yards 
from the small brook, a shelving rock extended 
outward from the edge of the slope. A wind¬ 
blown uprooted tree lay in such a position as to 
form a sort of side wall to the projecting rock, 
while at the other end of the shelf, a large piece 
of the stone itself had broken down, thus forming 
another wall, making a shelter with three sides 
and a roof, with a frontal opening of perhaps 
fifteen feet. 

The natural cavity in the stone formation was 
only one of many such places to be found in that 
particular section of the Blue Ridge country, and 
Alice quite readily recognized the advantages that 


196 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

it offered, not only as a shelter, but also as a place 
of refuge and defense. She was not slow in reach¬ 
ing a decision to use the shelving rock, as a place 
of abode, wherein she could nurse Burling back to 
strength; and she at once set herself to the task of 
preparing a bed of boughs and leaves upon which 
the pirate could rest his wearied body. 

With these arrangements complete, she next 
faced the momentous problem of moving the 
wounded man, which proved to be a delicate task, 
for Burling was weak from loss of blood. But 
after administering a stimulant of rum taken 
from a canteen which she had found among the 
stores of provisions, she managed to get Burling 
on his feet, and she clung to his great reeling 
body until she finally succeeded in bringing the 
wounded man to rest on the crude bed she had 
prepared for him. 

Then was it that she began to barricade the new 
shelter with sticks and stones, and after a day 
spent in this arduous manner, she had built a for¬ 
midable defense against the prowlers of the wil¬ 
derness. As a further means of protection she 
took Burling’s empty pistol from his belt and 
reloaded the weapon, fully determined to defend 
herself and companion who lay so desperately 
wounded. To keep nightly vigil among the howl¬ 
ing packs, to watch over him with a devoted care, 
through the long lonely hours that would likely 
extend into many days or even weeks. 


XXVI 


Calvary Defends Itself Against Jourdain *s 
Troops 

Jourdain moved on toward Calvary. Terese 
had been found hiding among the rocks near the 
place where the fight had been staged, and she was 
seized and forced to accompany Jourdain. Al¬ 
though the French commander had virtually an¬ 
nihilated Burling’s forces, it had been a costly 
victory, for the attacking force had lost heavily 
in men, and the fact that the pirate himself had 
escaped put Jourdain in an ugly mood. He ques¬ 
tioned Terese concerning the whereabouts of Bur¬ 
ling, but she of course knew nothing relating to 
the manner of his escape, nor would she have 
likely told him if she knew, for Jourdain’s inso¬ 
lent manner was repulsive to her. 

Jourdain pressed on toward Calvary, thinking 
perhaps that Burling had gone there. A half 
day’s march brought the attacking force within 
sight of the place. They were discovered, how¬ 
ever, before coming into firing distance, and the 
few men that remained in Calvary prepared them¬ 
selves to make a defense, and placed themselves at 
strategical points about the log buildings and 
among the rocks of the slope. 

The Reverend Mr. Strang, with Drake and Mol- 
bech, took up a position together behind a pro¬ 
tecting ledge that lay above the settlement proper, 
which gave them a commanding view and a good 
defense. 


197 


198 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

It may be said of this trio that they were each 
very unfriendly toward the French uniform. 
Molbech hated the French because they were the 
enemies of his Master, Peter Burling. Drake’s 
dislike was engendered by the acts of French pri¬ 
vateers who had caused him considerable trouble 
while pursuing his vocation as an English sea cap¬ 
tain. While the attitude of Strang could be 
summed up as being that of a man whose religious 
beliefs were at stake, for the French were strictly 
intolerant concerning the dogmas which Strang 
espoused. 

Jourdain’s forces moved closer, and when a 
proper range offered the rattle of musketry rang 
out through the forest air, echoing and re-echoing 
high among the mountain crags. While the de¬ 
fenders of Calvary were few in number, they were 
nevertheless well barricaded among the log build¬ 
ings of the settlement, and wrought a deadly 
fire upon the attacking force. 

Strang, Drake and Molbech, from their elevated 
position among the rocks of the slope, also kept 
up a steady and effective fire. So formidable 
was the defense, that Jourdain was compelled to 
resort to the expedient of storming Calvary with 
his superior forces. 

Then ensued a fierce struggle of hand-to-hand 
fighting in which those of the defenders who were 
stationed in and about the buildings fell in defeat 
and death, there being no quarter shown. Strang, 
Drake and Molbech, held their position among the 
rocks higher up on the slope, and for a time no 
effort was made to dislodge them, although they 
kept up a sort of sniping fire. 

For a time, Jourdain’s men busied themselves 
in looting the buildings, and finally coming upon 


CALVARY DEFENDS ITSELF 199 


several casks of rum that Burling had brought 
inland from his ship, ‘ 1 Juana,’’ the French troops 
fell to a heavy indulgence in the liquor. So freely 
did they imbibe that they became drunk, and then 
a revolting scene followed. 

As a consequence of the sniping fire of Strang 
and his companions, a party of French troops, 
under the personal direction of Jourdain, moved 
upward along the slope above Calvary to dislodge 
the snipers. A brief struggle followed in which 
the three men were ousted from their position, 
each being wounded. That they were not prompt¬ 
ly bayoneted to death was due to the presence of 
Jourdain, who, noticing the religious garb worn 
by Strang, ordered his men to desist. 

The French commander had, with considerable 
interest, observed the church among Calvary’s 
buildings, also the three wooden crosses that 
Strang had erected at the base of the huge stone. 

The sight of Strang’s religious coat served as 
an incentive to stir Jourdain’s rum-soaked mind 
into a fiendish hatred. His thoughts flashed 
quickly back to a long list of martyrs of his own 
faith who had been garroted to death for the wear¬ 
ing of the surplice representing their creed, and 
his whole being became fired with a spirit of 
revenge. 

“So you’ve come upon French territory to 
erect a church wherein to preach a false doctrine 
to your pirate friends?” said Jourdain to Strang, 
who lay propped against a stone with a gushing 
wound in his side. 

“I’ve come here to spread the gospel of truth; 
to endeavor to show men the error of their ways, 
be they pirates or savages, and to fight against 
sin.” Although Strang was suffering from the 


200 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

agony of his wound, his words were spoken in a 
smooth even tone. 

Jourdain’s lips formed themselves into a cruel 
cynical smile, indicating that his evil mind was 
evolving some fiendish plan of torture. 

‘ ‘ Do you dare to brag of Puritan heresies in my 
presence ?” he asked. 

i ‘ Yes/ ’ answered Strang, defiantly. 

“And your two friends here,” indicating Drake 
and Molbech, “do they adhere to your false doc¬ 
trine f ’’ 

“I am not admitting that my doctrines are 
false,” replied Strang. “As regards my two 
companions, they may speak for themselves.” 

Jourdain turned a questioning gaze upon Drake, 
who stood with a shattered arm hanging limply 
at his side. 

“I am an English subject and have no apologies 
to offer, especially to a French dog,’ ’ said Drake. 

Jourdain shrugged his shoulders and sneered 
at Drake’s words, then turned his attention to 
Molbech, who also showed evidence of a wound 
in his hip. 

“What do you say my man, are you a Puritan 
braggart also?” 

“I brag of nothing except the exploits of Cap¬ 
tain Burling,” replied Molbech. “He has fed the 
sharks with the bodies of many Frenchmen, and 
the wolves may also grow fat by feasting upon 
your men who have so lately fallen in this very 
forest.” 

Molbech’s words drove Jourdain into a rage. 

“You shall all die by the torture,” said he, 
“and that within this hour. The three wooden 
crosses that you’ve erected at the base of yonder 
rock shall be the means of your destruction. Your 


CALVARY DEFENDS ITSELF 201 


hands, yonr feet, and your sides shall feel the 
sting of French bayonets, for it is my purpose to 
nail your bodies to those very crosses that you 
have raised. Come. Away with them!” 

Violent hands were laid upon Drake and Mol- 
bech, while Strang offered a protest to such 
mockery. But his words fell upon deaf ears, and 
he, too, was roughly seized and dragged down¬ 
ward along the slope. 

“And when they were come down to the place 
called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the 
two malefactors, one on the right hand, and the 
other on the left.” 

It must be remembered that, at the particular 
time in which the incidents and occurrences of this 
narrative were being enacted, there dwelt in the 
minds of men a memory quite fresh of the inflic¬ 
tion of various forms of torture, such as bone 
breaking, burning at the stake, and what not—a 
long list of human cruelties imposed, usually en¬ 
gendered by religious hatred. Religion, that great 
bone of contention, has thrown men at one 
another’s throats for ages past, and to turn back 
through the pages of history and scan the long list 
of atrocities that have been enacted in the name of 
religion, we stand aghast at what is revealed. Ye 
gods, what a black record! The crucifixion of the 
Saviour was a tame affair as compared to some 
of the foul deeds of torture that have since been 
imposed. 

Then can we look upon the manner of the death 
of Strang and his companions, Drake and Mol- 
bech, as little more than a commonplace event, 
in view of the hatred existent in the breasts of 
men of their time. Further, it may also be stated 
that the execution of these three men exemplified 


202 


PETER BURLING, PIRATE 


the spirit of militarism, drunk and rampant, and 
running true to form. For after all, what matters 
it whether a man be put to death by being nailed 
to a wooden cross with steel bayonets, or stood 
against a stone wall and shot? 

With the occurrence of these events, the day 
waned toward late afternoon, and Jourdain pre¬ 
pared to move back toward Kennebec. After pro¬ 
curing the loot which consisted of a considerable 
quantity of provisions and rum, Jourdain’s final 
act was to put the torch to the settlement of Cal¬ 
vary. After setting afire all the various log 
structures, including the church, he moved north¬ 
ward on the back trail, leaving Calvary to the 
mercy of the flames. 

The body of French troops moved only a few 
miles, however, when darkness came on and they 
went into camp for the night. Terese had been 
closely guarded lest she escape, and she was now 
in the company of Jourdain. The latter had 
halted with the girl at a distance of a quarter mile 
back from the main camp of his men, for it was his 
purpose to be alone with her. 

The fact that he had established his own camp 
apart from that of his men, caused Terese to re¬ 
gard the man in an apprehensive manner, for she 
was alone with him, and his very demeanor be¬ 
spoke the evil of his licentious mind. That her 
fears were well founded became apparent, when 
Jourdain began his drunken overtures to her. 

“The friends of the dark-eyed girl have fallen, 
and she is alone. Would she care to become the 
wife of a French officer ?” 

“I would much rather have been put to death 
with those that have fallen,” replied Terese. 

“But you must remember that I am the great 


CALVARY DEFENDS ITSELF 203 


commander of the French troops, and my word is 
the law in this territory. You must become my 
wife now, then afterwards, perhaps when we reach 
Kennebec, the missionary can perform the mar¬ 
riage ceremony.” 

“Have not the foulness of your deeds been 
enough for one day? And does the French uni¬ 
form have no respect for the honor of women?” 
said Terese, spiritedly. 

“The authority of the military uniform must 
not be questioned. It is treason. You are but a 
part of the spoils that have come into my hands 
this day, and you shall do my bidding. ” Jourdain 
advanced a pace nearer the girl. 

“You are a beast!” shouted Terese, who gave 
quick glances about her as if seeking some avenue 
of escape. 

Discerning her motive to run away, and deter¬ 
mined not to be foiled in his evil designs, Jourdain 
quickly grabbed the girl’s wrists. Then a strug¬ 
gle followed in which Terese screamed loudly and 
fought her attacker with all the strength that she 
possessed. So energetic were her efforts in de¬ 
fending herself, that she actually held Jourdain 
off for a time, and he, becoming enraged at the 
girl resisting him, struck her a vicious blow 
with his clenched fist. Terese sank to her knees, 
dazed by the blow. Remaining in this position 
for a time, and partially regaining her blurred 
senses, she held her arms outstretched toward 
Jourdain in an entreaty for mercy. 

Jourdain stood over her with every muscle of 
his body vibrating with a passionate rage. Then 
suddenly there was a rustling of the shrubbery at 
the side of the trail near the pair, and the figure 
of a powerfully built man stepped out into the 


204 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

semi-darkness and moved swiftly into the pres¬ 
ence of the two. Terese raised her eyes to the 
newcomer, and an intermingled look of surprise 
and relief came over her features. 

‘ 4 Pedersen!’ ’ she cried. It was the pirate mate. 
“Help me—please—deliver me from this beastly 
man who wears the French uniform ! 9 9 

Jourdain’s hand dropped quickly to his belt 
and a pistol, but not quickly enough, for Pedersen 
pounced upon him with the agility of a great cat, 
and Jourdain’s arms were pinioned to his sides 
in the powerful grasp of the pirate mate. 

Jourdain writhed like a serpent in an endeavor 
to free himself, and attempted to attract the atten¬ 
tion of his men by making an outcry, but his ef¬ 
forts were useless, for Pedersen’s muscular fin¬ 
gers closed upon Jourdain’s throat like a vise, 
sinking deep into the flesh, until the respiratory 
organs ceased to function, and the French com¬ 
mander’s body became limp, for the spark of life 
had flown, and Pedersen cast the man aside, dead. 

Pedersen’s entrance upon the scene was fol¬ 
lowed shortly by the appearance of his companion, 
Cecille. The presence of the two in this particular 
section of the wilderness at the time may be under¬ 
stood when it is explained that Pedersen had been 
for several days searching his way back toward 
Calvary. He had become lost in the mystic be¬ 
wilderment of the forest, and even now, he was 
unaware that he was only a few miles from the 
place he sought. 

Terese explained to him all that had happened 
during his absence, giving the details of the trip 
to Kennebec, the battle in the forest, in which 
Burling and Alice had disappeared, and the sub¬ 
sequent destruction of Calvary. 


CALVABY DEFENDS ITSELF 205 


“You can see the light of the fire over here to 
the south/ ’ said Terese, pointing to the glare in 
the sky caused by the burning of Calvary’s build¬ 
ings. 

The reflection of the fire served as a guiding 
beacon of the night, to which Pedersen and his 
two feminine companions were drawn. By mid¬ 
night they had reached the place, which lay in 
smouldering ruins. The glowing embers were 
sufficient to give enough light to survey the deso¬ 
lation of the place, and the trio halted and gazed 
in silence at the awe-inspiring sight. 

Their attention became riveted upon the soli¬ 
tary figure of a woman silhouetted in the somber 
light, standing motionless as a statue, gazing upon 
the three crosses that held the spectral figures of 
Strang, Drake and Molbech. 

“Lucretia—the Carib dancer!” exclaimed 
Terese to her companions, and the three advanced 
toward the woman. 

When Lucretia had recovered from her surprise 
at the sudden appearance of the trio, she ex¬ 
plained her presence by saying that she sought the 
body of her husband who had fallen in the recent 
conflict, and that she, herself had been spared, was 
due to the fact that she happened to be in the 
nearby Valley of Silence, gathering wild flowers 
just at the time of Jourdain’s attack. 

That the ghastliness of the scene of carnage 
and desolation had the effect of depressing the 
women became apparent to Pedersen, and he led 
them away and took refuge in the seclusion of the 
Valley of Silence, there to spend the remainder of 
the night. 

The sky became blurred by low lying clouds, 
denoting an approaching storm. The forest be- 


206 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

came blanketed in a curtain of inky darkness. 
The wails of the timber wolf, intermingled with 
the sounds of distant thunder, echoing among the 
mountain crags, was followed by the roar of the 
wind and the approaching tempest, which soon 
burst into a raging storm. Giant trees were up¬ 
rooted, forked tongues of lightning wrought re¬ 
curring illuminations, and the rain came in a 
torrential downpour, growing ever more violent, 
until it might seem that the righteous wrath of an 
outraged Deity was pouring forth the fury of the 
storm to wipe away the blot of desecration that 
the marring hand of Jourdain had so lately 
wrought. 

Within the stone cavern that served as a shelter 
for Alice Hull and Peter Burling, the sounds of 
thunder caused the latter to move restlessly upon 
his bed of leaves and boughs. 

1 ‘Whence comes the sound of cannon?” asked 
he, in feverish delirium. “The French dog had 
no weapon heavier than a musket, or is it the guns 
of Moro Castle that I hear? Or, perhaps, the 
Englisher, Baldrige, is trying the range of the 
‘Argyle’s’ guns? Ha! the missile fell short— 
there’s no ship to match the ‘Juana’s’ speed— 
water—water—I’m dying of thirst—” 

The fury of the storm kept Burling in a nervous 
state. By the light of recurring flashes of light¬ 
ning, Alice could trace the lines upon his features, 
indicating the serious moods that were passing 
through his dazed mind, and she grew more appre¬ 
hensive, for his condition could be considered as 
quite grave, and she became more alert in adminis¬ 
tering a tender care upon him. 

As the night waned, so also did the storm abate, 
and the sun rose in a clear sky, sending its golden 


CALVARY DEFENDS ITSELF 207 


rays to play among the green foliage that hung 
damp and heavy with clinging raindrops, giving 
off a sparkling brilliancy, as if the forest itself 
was bedecked with the grandeur of a million shin¬ 
ing jewels. 

Morning found a much depleted body of French 
troops without a leader. A searching party went 
back to the place where Jourdain was known to 
have halted with Terese on the previous evening, 
but the shreds of his uniform that lay scattered 
about the site of his camp was all that remained, 
giving mute evidence that the wolves had feasted 
upon his body, and the troops moved on toward 
Kennebec without their leader. 

The new day also found Pedersen busy. He fell 
to the task of fashioning a grave at the base of 
each of the three crosses, and toward evening his 
labors were complete, and the bodies of Strang, 
Drake and Molbech, reposed in their final resting 
place, marked by those symbols by which men have 
built the hope of future life beyond the grave. 


xxvn 


Conclusion 

Dan Baldrige returned again from a fruitless 
search of the seas. His last voyage had carried 
him into many strange and secluded ports in quest 
of Peter Burling, but, of course, his search was in 
vain. Weary and discouraged, Baldrige took him¬ 
self upon the shore to seek diverson and rest in 
the environs of the English settlement to which it 
was his custom to visit. 

It was during his sojourn upon the land that 
one day he chanced to stroll far down along the 
beach. He was thinking of Alice Hull, and con¬ 
jectured many things concerning the possibilities 
of her fate. 

Presently his attention was brought to bear 
upon the hulk of a ship that had been washed 
ashore and left by the receding tide. His natural 
curiosity moved him to make an investigation of 
the derelict, and he walked toward it. The bow 
of the stranded hulk rested firmly upon the sands 
of the beach, while the stern lay in the wash of 
the surf. 

As he advanced closer, he became interested in 
deciphering the bronze letters that were set 
against the derelict’s bow. He stopped short and 
opened his eyes wide in surprise, then advanced 
again as if in doubt as to what he saw. Presently 
he halted again and fastened his gaze upon the 
nameplate which disclosed the derelict’s identity. 

“The pirate ship—‘Juana’!” ejaculated Bal- 
208 


CONCLUSION 


209 


drige aloud, in surprise, and a quick train of 
thoughts ran through his mind. He saw at a 
glance that the ship had been destroyed by fire, 
and his first thought was of Alice Hull. Had she 
perished, along with Cecille, and the pirate him¬ 
self? He drew a mental scene of a burning ship 
at sea—with Strang in an attitude of prayer, 
pirates lowering small boats, perhaps, the whole 
of the 4 4 Juana’s ’ ’ company had perished by drift¬ 
ing about the sea in small boats—the same fate of 
Pedersen and of Billingsly. 

Such thoughts drove Baldrige into distraction. 
He shook his clinched fists at the charred hulk that 
lay before him. He finally dropped his knees upon 
the sand, and with upturned face prayed aloud. 

4 4 Oh, God, please divulge to me, these mys¬ 
terious secrets of the sea!” 

After spending considerable time in exploring 
what remained of the 4 4 Juana,’ 9 Baldrige went his 
way back along the beach, halting at the edge of 
the settlement to gaze curiously and wonderingly 
at a placard attached to the side of a building, 
depicting the likeness of Peter Burling, and 
supplemented with the wording— 44 dead or alive.” 

He stood and gazed for some time at the pirate ’s 
picture, and pondered well upon those words— 
44 dead or alive.” What significance could those 
words have now, since the pirate’s ship was known 
to have been destroyed? Was Peter Burling— 
dead or alive ? Baldrige was plainly puzzled. 

He withdrew from his pocket a picture of Alice, 
and pressed it to his lips, then alternated his gaze 
from the likeness of the girl, to the caricature of 
the pirate who seemed to stare boldly down at him 
from the poster. Then again did he wonder at 


210 PETEE BUELING, PIEATE 

the strange manner in which Fate had wrought 
such a cruel torture upon his soul. 

So absorbed was he in his thoughts that he did 
not observe the approach of Jacques Lepage, who 
had come close to Baldrige’s side, also in order to 
study the features of Burling as displayed upon 
the placard. 

After gazing upon the pirate’s picture for a 
time, a smile lit up Jacques’ countenance, and he 
gave vent to whatever inward emotion that he felt 
by indulging in a short paroxysm of audible 
laughter, a custom that had been acquired by him, 
either to laugh or speak aloud even when alone, 
due no doubt to his peculiar habit of going forth 
in the loneliness of the forest, where the sound of 
his own voice served as a sort of companionship. 

Jacques’ laughter had the effect to detract 
Baldrige from his moody reflections, and he 
turned his eyes upon the newcomer. 

“The pirate is far more handsome than his 
picture represents him to be, although the likeness 
is real enough to establish his identity,” solilo¬ 
quized Jacques, for as yet he gave little heed to 
Baldrige’s presence. 

“You speak as if you had seen the pirate at 
some time or other,” interjected Baldrige. 

“Ah—sure, it is I, Jacques Lepage, who saw 
him not more than a fortnight ago. ’ ’ 

“What—?” broke in Baldrige, in great sur¬ 
prise. “Where? Are you sure that you saw this 
man?” 

14 1 am quite sure, M ’sieur, he has established a 
settlement called ‘Calvary,’ a hundred miles south 
of Kennebec Trading Post. ’ ’ Jacques emphasized 
his words with a gesture of his arm pointing in 
the direction of the forest. 


CONCLUSION 


211 


.“And has the pirate some ladies with him in 
this new settlement that you mention ?” asked 
Baldrige. 

“Ah—yes, there are some beautiful women at 
Calvary settlement,’’ returned Jacques, “a pretty 
Spanish maid, who plays well upon the harp, also 
an English lass with fine blue eyes, and—ah— 
M ’sieur, there’s the one called Lucretia, who does 
the beautiful dance. Oui, Oui, she is one grand 
dancer, and pretty too—but—” (Jacques arched 
his brow and shrugged his shoulders), “but she is 
the wife of one of the great pirate’s men.” 

“And is this girl among them?” asked Baldrige, 
anxiously passing the picture of Alice into 
Jacques ’ hands. 

“Oui,” said Jacques, who quite readily recog¬ 
nized the likeness of Alice. “ ’Tis the blue eyes, 
of whom I’ve already spoken. She is young, and 
more beautiful than this picture, but not quite so 
comely as Lucretia, the dancer of whom I speak. 
Ah, Monsieur, Lucretia is more graceful than any 
woman I have ever seen, even among those of 
your own English settlements here.” 

Baldrige was forced to smile at Jacques’ eulogy 
of the Carib dancer, for within Baldrige’s own 
breast a new hope was kindling, and he felt in a 
more cheerful mood. He questioned Lepage con¬ 
cerning Cecille Hull, but Jacques, of course, knew 
nothing of her, because Pedersen and Cecille had 
left Calvary before Jacques had visited the place. 

A long conference was held by the two men, 
whereby it was agreed that Jacques should act as 
a guide in leading Baldrige to the site of Calvary. 
The question was discussed of taking along a body 
of English troops, but Jacques advised against it, 
holding that the success of a venture to rescue 


212 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

Alice Hull, should depend upon such strategem 
as he himself should choose. 

Within the course of a day, Baldrige had made 
arrangement to take an indefinite leave from his 
ship. Discarding his naval uniform, and dressed 
in the plain garb of a woodsman, he made his way 
with Jacques Lepage into the forest, and the two 
held to a course that led westward toward the site 
of Calvary. 

Then followed many days of tedious travel, in 
which Jacques, cunning woodsman that he was, led 
his companion through the maze of secret trails 
and by-ways of the wilderness. To Baldrige it 
seemed that Jacques would never tire, and he was 
amazed at the great distances that were covered 
in the course of a day ’s travel. His own youth and 
vigor served Baldrige well in keeping pace with 
his companion. And, too, the hope of a reunited 
love at the end of his journey, spurred Baldrige 
on to the exertion of greater energy, and the set¬ 
ting of each day’s sun found the two approaching 
ever nearer and nearer to their goal. 

****** 

Quartered in the seclusion and solitude of her 
forest retreat, under the shelving rock, Alice spent 
many trying hours, watching—waiting—praying 
—administering a tender care upon Burling, 
whose life hung in the balance. For a day and a 
night now he had lain motionless, as if his life 
was ebbing away. Every rise and fall of his chest 
was noted by her with apprehensive anxiety. The 
fast beating pulse, the hot fever, the pallor that 
had come over his handsome features, all bespoke 
an ill omen. 

During the silent hours of her watchfulness, the 
ever-recurring thought that death might come to 


CONCLUSION 


213 


Burling at any moment, kept Alices emotions 
keyed to a high pitch. Once, when kneeling by his 
side, she took up his hand and pressed it firmly to 
her, and prayed that he might live. 

Then came the fateful hour of the crisis, when 
his condition should change—a crisis in which his 
great magnificent body would either retain or re¬ 
lease the life it held. That critical moment finally 
passed, and the pulse beats came stronger. 

The current of vitality had run strong in Bur- 
ling’s body, for he had led a clean, physical life, 
free from dissipation and the common vices. 
Although he had always been provisioned with a 
goodly quantity of rum, he had personally ab¬ 
stained from its use, keeping it mainly for the 
purpose of permitting his men to indulge moder¬ 
ately. That he had given strict adherence to the 
code of physical ethics became apparent in the 
proof of a finely contoured athletic body, which, at 
this particular time, against great odds, continued 
to function its life-giving processes. 

With the stemming of that destructive ebbing 
current that had drained his vitality to the very 
brink of death, came then the inflowing tide of 
rejuvenation, very slowly at first, but surely 
nevertheless, and Burling opened his eyes and 
gazed wonderingly, dreamily, questioningly at 
Alice. 

“Alice,” said he, faintly, “tell me—has the 
French dog turned back toward Kennebec?” 

“I am not sure of his movements,” returned 
she, “although I believe that he has advanced on 
Calvary, for a few nights ago there was a great 
light over there. ’ ’ 

Burling shifted his gaze to the stone roof above 


214 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

him, to the rock wall at his side, and the barri¬ 
caded entrance to the cavern in which he lay. 

“Tell me how I came here, and why are yon 
here, Alice. Where is Terese 1 ’ 9 

“That we are here alone is a circumstance of 
Fate,” returned Alice. “Of Terese, I know noth¬ 
ing; she may be lost in this vast wilderness; I 
know not the fate of anyone except ourselves. 
You have suffered terribly from your wound. 
I’ve prayed for your recovery, and I am glad to 
hear your voice again; and I shall pray now, and 
offer my thanks to the Almighty for preserving 
life in your excellent body . 91 

Alice followed her words by placing a hand 
upon his brow, and with upturned face prayed fer¬ 
vently. Burling set his gaze upon her beautiful 
profile and listened intently. When she had con¬ 
cluded, he reached weakly and took her hand in 
his own, as if to express his appreciation of her 
words, for he did not speak, but closed his eyes 
again in restful strength-giving sleep. 

Thus with each succeeding day came a stronger 
beating of the pulse, a receding of the fever, and a 
healing of his wound. His strength came gradual 
for a time, but more rapid as the days went by, 
until finally he was able to stand on his feet. 
From that time on his recovery was remarkably 
swift. The color of youth came again into his fea¬ 
tures, and he began to take on that muscular 
litheness of his former self. 

Alice was amazed at his strong recuperative 
powers, and she let her eyes follow him as he 
moved about exercising his limbs, and she mar¬ 
veled at his perfectly moulded figure. She kept 
her admiring gaze upon him as he paced back and 
forth near her, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. 


CONCLUSION 215 

Once he stopped short and raised his eyes to hers 
and smiled pleasantly. 

“I’ve lost my sea legs, Alice, but with this sort 
of practice for another day or two, methinks I 
can walk the distance to Calvary/’ 

And so the day came when the two journeyed 
forth together, seeking their way back to the site 
that was once Calvary. Although both were un¬ 
skilled in the ways of woodcraft, they managed, 
however, by employing the very simple artifice of 
back-trailing along the small brook that ran near 
their camp, to come upon the well-beaten path that 
led toward Calvary. 

In the late afternoon they reached the place, 
and joined Pedersen and his three feminine com¬ 
panions, Cecille, Terese and Lucretia. 

“ Jourdain shall answer for this with his life!” 
said Burling, as he surveyed the devastation that 
had been wrought. 

“The French dog had but one life, and that has 
been taken by these—my own hands,” responded 
Pedersen. 

“Then you have rendered a good service, 
Pedersen, worthy man you are, and I am proud to 
call you my friend . 9 T 

Although there was a certain atmosphere of 
gloominess about the place that lay in ruins, 
nevertheless the reunion of these remaining sur¬ 
vivors of Calvary was a rather happy event; and 
they sat late into the night discussing the events 
that had so recently occurred. 

The early sun of a new day found Jacques Le¬ 
page and Dan Baldrige cautiously approaching 
Calvary, for they expected to find the place in¬ 
habited by a goodly number of armed men. What 
they really saw, however, caused them to stop and 


216 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

gaze in surprise and wonder; for, directly under 
their view lay the charcoal and ashes of Calvary, 
with Burling, Pedersen and the four women con¬ 
gregated near the graves of Strang, Drake and 
Molbech. 

“The work of Jourdain!” cried Jacques, as he 
surveyed the ruins. “ ’Tis a trait of his, to kill 
and to burn. I have seen some of his work before 
now. He is the most bloodthirsty man I’ve ever 
met.” 

“Think you then that yonder two men are all 
that remain of the pirate crew?” asked Baldrige. 

“Very likely,” replied Jacques, “that one is 
the great pirate himself I am quite certain, but 
methinks I have never seen the taller one of the 
two before now.” 

“Then let us advance,” urged Baldrige, im¬ 
patiently. 

“We may as well, they are but two men, like 
ourselves, and although both are muscular, I 
doubt if either of them are more skilled than I in 
the use of the rifle. But we shall avoid bloodshed 
if possible, for there seems to have been enough 
of that already.” So saying, Jacques dropped his 
rifle into the hollow of his arm, and with Baldrige 
at his side the two stepped boldly forward. 

# Their approach was observed by Burling and 
his companions, and when they came within hail¬ 
ing distance, Jacques was the first to speak, rais¬ 
ing his hand after the manner of the savage. 

“Our mission is peaceful, M’sieur, we have 
journeyed from the English coast settlement, and 
our legs are weary . 9 9 

But to Burling and Pedersen, Jacques’ words 
fell upon deaf ears, for their whole attention was 
directed upon Baldrige. 


CONCLUSION 


217 


A look of great surprise came over Baldrige’s 
countenance as his gaze came to rest upon Peder¬ 
sen. 

“You—?” cried the young naval officer. 

“Yes, I, Pedersen, whom you set adrift in your 
small boat.” 

Pedersen’s manner became threatening, and he 
advanced toward Baldrige. Cecille stepped quick¬ 
ly in his path, laying a restraining hand upon his 
arm. 

‘ ‘ Stop ! 9 9 she cried, in a commanding tone, ad¬ 
dressing her pirate mate. “There must be no 
more violence. Your maltreatment was avenged 
in the death of Major Billingsly. Danny Baldrige 
is guilty only in the fact that he obeyed Billings¬ 
ly’s orders. If you lay harm upon this young 
man, my love for you shall grow cold, the same as 
it did for Billingsly . 9 9 

Burling was the next to speak. 

“Have you come here in quest of me, hoping 
that you might claim the big gold reward that is 
offered for my capture V 9 

“No, I’ve come to claim the woman I love,” 
answered Baldrige, pointing to Alice. 

“Far be it from my thoughts then, to interfere 
if it is the girl’s choice to go with you. What say 
you, Alice? Do you choose to remain with me, or 
go with this man who makes open declaration of 
his love for you?” 

For a moment Alice did not speak, and it seemed 
that some painful emotion was surging through 
her soul. The eyes of the entire assemblage were 
upon her, silently watching, waiting, interested to 
hear her answer. 

“Oh, Master Burling, I must confess my high 
regard for you. Pirate you may have been, yet 


218 PETER BURLING, PIRATE 

more noble than the richest king. Please forgive 
me, and remember always, that my prayers shall 
be for your welfare. My choice shall fall upon 
Danny Baldrige, because I love him dearly. Good- 
bye and God bless you!” As Alice concluded her 
speech, she took Burling’s hand and raised it to 
her lips, then quickly flew into Dan Baldrige’s 
waiting arms. 

The two turned and moved away, halting briefly 
in front of the three crosses, while Alice chanted a 
prayer and took a wreath of wild flowers from 
her hair and placed it tenderly upon Strang’s 
grave. Thence they made their way upward and 
eastward along the slope, toward the English 
settlement. 

Pedersen and Cecille turned and made their 
way into the Valley of Silence, leaving Burling, 
who stood motionless, watching the departing 
figures of Baldrige and Alice, until they had 
finally disappeared .in the direction of the rising 
sun. When they were completely lost to view, he 
dropped his eyes downward, as if lost in a deep 
study. He felt a gentle tug at his arm and turned 
to face Terese, who stood with her face upturned 
to his. As their eyes met, her lips parted in a 
smile, displaying two rows of beautiful white 
teeth. 

‘ 4 What is your bid, sir?” she said banteringly. 
“Are you dealing in women today? You must 
remember that you have neither gold nor a fine 
ship. Behold again the beauty of my chaste young 
body—a body that would have been despoiled by 
Jourdain, but for the timeliness of Pedersen’s 
powerful hands. You are destitute of worldly 
goods. The glitter of your gold is gone. What 
shall take the place of the yellow metal in which 


CONCLUSION 


219 


you saw so much beauty to worship? Speak, 
there is none here to bid against you, except 
Jacques Lepage.” Terese smiled mischievously 
and cast a glance toward the half-breed guide. 

‘ 4 What you say is all true, Terese. My worldly 
possessions are gone. Yet they have been re¬ 
placed by something greater. My soul is awake at 
last, with a new emotion—the emotion of love—a 
love that is quite as strong as my body, and it is 
yours—it is my bid for you. ’ ’ 

He placed his great arms about the girl and 
drew her to him. So strong was his crushing em¬ 
brace that she winced from the pain of it. Then 
presently he released her, and she said: 

“Come, the Valley of Silence beckons to us. 
We shall be safe there, and happy, too, for it is 
the great neutral ground, and our refuge.” 

Jacques Lepage let his eyes follow the pair, 
and as they passed out of view into the great silent 
valley, he turned his eyes upon Lucretia, the Carib 
dancer, who sat a few paces away with her head 
slightly bowed. 

“Three hundred miles to the northward”— 
Jacques emphasized his words with a gesture by 
pointing his rifle toward the north—“I have a 
cabin and a good cache of provisions. I am a 
good hunter. No one this side of the Canadas can 
beat me with the rifle. You are alone, Lucretia. 
You are beautiful. I need a woman to cook my 
venison. Will you come with me!” 

Jacques slung his pack to his shoulders and 
moved off. Lucretia hesitated for a moment, then 
she, too, followed him, and they were soon swal¬ 
lowed up in the great maw of the wilderness. 


THE END 


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